Member Article

Gateshead apprentice in running for national award

A Gateshead apprentice who was crowned North East Higher Apprentice of the Year has submitted her entry to the national final of the prestigious awards.

Michele Watson won the regional final following nomination by her training provider, Team Valley-based Access Training.

She was nominated by Access not only for her achievements, having been promoted from PA to HR manager following completion of her Higher Apprenticeship, but also for the contribution she now makes to her employer’s business as a direct result of the skills she gained from her apprenticeship.

Michele works for Express Engineering, one of the world’s largest contract manufacturing suppliers to the oil and gas industry, employing 375 staff in the UK and Brazil.

As a result of her own success story, part of Michele’s remit is to oversee the company’s apprenticeship programme, identifying skills gaps, recruiting apprentices to fill these gaps and mentoring them through their own training programme, something which she believes is vitally important.

Michele said: “Having completed my own apprenticeship with a huge amount of support from both Access Training and my employer, I understand how important it is to guide our own apprentices through their own programmes and give them the support and guidance they need to help them complete their training and forge a successful career in their chosen field.

“I am extremely proud of my achievements and winning the regional Higher Apprentice of the Year accolade, and I want to use my own story and my own successes to spur others on within our organisation.”

Valerie Green, business development manager at Access Training, added: “When we nominated Michele for the regional awards, we knew we had put forward an extremely strong candidate. She’s committed, she’s enthusiastic and above all she’s testament to the value apprenticeship programmes can bring to businesses large and small.

“What’s great is that Michele is able to draw on her own experiences to help others through their own apprenticeships - she has, quite literally, become an advocate for apprenticeships in the workplace and we couldn’t think of anyone better to be nominated for the national final. We wish her all the best.”

Michele’s entry will now be judged by the national panel. If shortlisted to the final three, Michele will attend the National Apprentice of the Year awards on November 14th where the winner will be announced.

She added: “It’s nerve wracking but exciting too – a few years ago I never imagined I’d be winning awards and potentially being named as the national Apprentice of the Year. It’s been an interesting journey and one I’m pleased I’ve experienced.”

Access Training is an award winning training provider with offices in Gateshead and Chester-le-Street and has helped over 5,000 people start and develop careers. It offers apprenticeships at intermediate, advanced and higher levels in a wide range of occupational areas.

For information about Traineeships and Apprenticeships through Access Training call Kate Veitch on 0191 490 2377 or email info@accesstraining.org

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Anna Baxter (Trumpet Communications) .