Final call for employers to enter the Apprenticeship Awards 2008
Deadline for entries is 29 February.The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) urges the nation's top apprentice employers to enter the Apprenticeship Awards 2008 ahead of the deadline for entries on 29 February. Employers of all sizes and from all industry sectors are encouraged to enter the prestigious national awards that showcase the achievements of apprentices and their employers.
Now in their fifth year, the Apprenticeship Awards recognise the work of employers who are using Apprenticeships to build their future workforce and tackle skills shortages within their organisation and industry. They also celebrate the success of apprentices who have made a real difference to their own future and to the organisation they work for.
This year's winners will be announced at a prestigious Awards ceremony at the Royal Horticultural Halls in Central London on 10 July 2008.
The Awards highlight how employers of all sizes and across a variety of sectors have successfully used Apprenticeships to up-skill their workforce, thereby improving their overall business performance.
Success stories that have previously been recognised by the Awards include, in the Large Employer category, BAE Systems, British Gas and telecoms giant BT.
Commenting on their win, Dave Walsh, Head of BT Apprenticeships said: "Winning Large Employer of the Year 2007 was a great tribute to BT's investment in our apprentices. Our Apprenticeship programme is crucial for future proofing our business, delivering a clear return on investment. We will definitely be entering again this year."
The achievements of small and medium-sized firms are also recognised - Farthings Veterinary Group in West Sussex won Small Employer of the Year 2007, while Derby-based engineering company, Slack & Parr, were crowned Medium Employer of the Year for the second consecutive year.
Richard Hallsworth, Managing Director at Slack & Parr Ltd said: "This Award is recognition of the hard work we have invested in our Apprenticeship programme. Apprentices are integral to the success of our business; in fact, nearly half of our company have come via that route.
"Apprenticeships present an opportunity for individuals to develop their academic and technical skills and to give them a head start in life."
Stephen Gardner, Director of Apprenticeships at the Learning and Skills Council commented: "The Apprenticeship Awards are an excellent platform to highlight organisations and individuals who are using Apprenticeships to build their businesses, enabling them to remain competitive at a national and global level.
"The Awards are now in their fifth year and clearly demonstrate how Apprenticeships are contributing both to the overall business performance of organisations and to the career success of individual apprentices.
"Entries to the Awards have increased year-on-year, but more excitingly so has the calibre of these entrants, both from apprentices and their employers. With this in mind, I'm looking forward to judging this year's competition and meeting the 2008 finalists."
Skills Minister David Lammy MP said: "Apprenticeships are beneficial to all involved. They provide individuals with the training they need to unlock their potential, and employers with a skilled workforce that gives them a competitive edge."
Jonathan Pearson, Apprentice of the Year 2007, was stunned at his win and is grateful for all that he has achieved through his Apprenticeship. "It's brilliant. My Apprenticeship has given me so much - confidence, success, leadership, everything - and my company has supported me all the way."
Employers are eligible to enter in one of four categories depending on their company size; Micro (1-9 employees), Small (10-49 employees), Medium (50-249 employees) and Large (250+ employees). They are assessed on a number of criteria including their commitment to developing their workforce through Apprenticeships and clear demonstration of the way the programme has benefited their business.
There are also four categories open to individuals - Apprentice of the Year, Advanced Apprentice of the Year, Young Apprentice of the Year and Personal Achiever of the Year.
The Awards Premier Sponsor for the fourth consecutive year is City & Guilds. Other sponsors include Edexcel, BAE Systems and BT.
To enter the Awards, or for more information, visit apprenticeships.org.uk/awards or call 0800 954 8896. Deadline for entries is 29 February 2008.
The closing date for the Awards falls during Apprenticeship Week 2008, designed to celebrate the ongoing success of Apprenticeships and raise awareness of the benefits that Apprenticeships bring to the British economy.