Apprenticeship Recognition Awards: get your entries in now

Calling all Staffordshire businesses: Do you have an outstanding apprentice who deserves a pat on the back?

Entries are being invited for this year’s Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Apprenticeship Recognition Awards. Now in their sixth year, the awards showcase and celebrate the achievements of apprentices who have exceeded expectations, shown an enthusiastic approach to learning, demonstrated initiative, enterprise, innovation and creativity and made a measurable impact in their jobs.

The apprenticeship awards also pay tribute to the forward-thinking employers in Staffordshire and Stoke who encourage their apprentices to shine, said Ken Stepney, chairman of Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s Education Trust, which organises the awards.

“The outstanding achievements of these apprentices demonstrate the strong commitment made by employers and training providers to develop the innovation and enterprise that contributes to the social and economic growth of our area,” Mr Stepney said.

“And it is a real pleasure to recognise the efforts of our best and brightest young people through these awards.”

Entry forms can be downloaded from the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire LEP website here: Apprenticeship Recognition Award 16 Form  and should be returned to Chris Bamsey via email at chris.bamsey@staffordshire.gov.uk  The closing date is Friday February 19.

 The 10 winners will receive their awards and prizes at a presentation ceremony on the afternoon of Thursday March 10. The venue for the ceremony will be confirmed later this month.

The Apprenticeship Recognition Awards are supported by Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Staffordshire County Council, Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Local Enterprise Partnership, local employers and a range of partner organisations engaged in providing quality apprenticeships to develop businesses and drive forward the local economy.

Ken Stepney is pictured with one of last year’s winners, Stuart Nixon, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, who works at HG Rewinds in Stoke-on-Trent.