Skills Focus THE SOURCE’S TALENTED APPRENTICES IN THE RUNNING FOR WINS AT 2023 APPRENTICESHIP AWARDS

Seven have reached the finals in eight categories, while The Source is up for Training Provider of the Year. In addition, three employers the academy supports are shortlisted for their exemplary work with apprentices.

Jessica Lindores, who helped transform business practice for her property developer employer Blenheim Park Developments, has two reasons to celebrate: she’s a finalist in both Professional Services Apprentice of the Year and the Advanced Apprentice award. During the pandemic, Jessica rolled out MS Teams, which is now used to run all house-building projects start-to-finish, saving the business time and money.

Two more Source apprentices, Laura Fieber and Scott Micklethwaite, are also vying for the Advanced award. Laura went from homelessness to a highly valued employee at Nomad Open Doors, the charity which got her life on track eight years ago. Now 29, she helps transform the lives of others struggling with homelessness. Skills honed in her Level 3 Apprenticeship are proving invaluable as she covers two important roles. Outokumpu worker Scott became an apprentice at 38 to climb the management ladder. He is now a section leader and believes that his

Level 2 and 3 apprenticeship qualifications have not only benefited his career, but have also boosted his team’s performance. Meanwhile, Health & Public Service finalist Katie Fearn rocketed from receptionist to a highly valued member of the nursing team at Porter Brook Medical Centre, whose apprenticeship final project made a procedure less painful for patients.

Aneeka Zarar, who went from angry former pupil with no self-belief to star employee at the Yorkshire Accommodation Bureau (YAB) in Rotherham, is an Intermediate Award finalist alongside fellow Sourcetrained apprentices Trinity Dalton and Joseph Elliss. Severe anxiety had blighted Trinity’s life from childhood. She was terrified of speaking to strangers, but a retail apprenticeship at Rotherham fashion emporium Yella Brick Road helped her overcome her condition and find her future. Joe, 26, had to forgo his dream of success as a musician, but found another route via a Supply Chain apprenticeship with global stationery specialist Fellowes Ltd in Doncaster. Joe devised new work methods and is now a Junior European Buyer with major responsibilities.

Gemma Levitt, Joe’s mentor at Fellowes, has been shortlisted for her outstanding mentoring skills. She’s now UK Operations Manager and ‘pays forward’ the mentoring she received to help others flourish. In addition, Aneeka’s multi-cultural team at YAB is up for the Diversity and Inclusion Award, while world-leading Rotherham manufacturer AESSEAL is gunning for Large Business Employer of the Year at the May 18 Magna event.

“All our talented finalists are proof of the huge benefits apprentices bring to businesses,” said Natalie Doherty, The Source’s Interim Deputy CEO. “Helping people reach their full potential is what we are all about, and in our 20th year we’re delighted to be nominated for an award ourselves. It’s a great time to get involved with apprenticeships. More young people are opting for them over university and higherlevel apprenticeships can upskill existing employees keen to climb the career ladder.”

For apprenticeships go to www.thesourceacademy. co.uk

The Source Skills Academy in Sheffield is passionate about bringing out the best in people. It has been helping businesses to increase the talents of their teams since 2003 and is proud to sponsor Skills Focus, a monthly spotlight on training and apprenticeship news and funding to help you develop your staff.

What is your current role?

I am a Trainee Technical Coordinator in a foundry – we produce highly complex castings for many industries including aerospace, defence and oil and gas.

What does that involve on a day-to-day basis?

I’m involved in CAD work, designing methods for castings and 3D printing using stereolithography, working as part of the manufacturing team at the start of the process.

How did you get started in STEM?

At 16, I went to an open evening at the AMRC Training Centre in Rotherham and then came for an interview at Castings Technology International. I was offered an apprenticeship as a methods engineer. I really enjoy hands-on learning, making and designing things, so this was an ideal place to start in

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