Yorkshire firm and apprentice in national awards

The finalists for the prestigious National Apprenticeship Awards 2013 have been revealed and two of the 27 companies and individuals in the running for national recognition are from the Yorkshire region.

Gordons LLP in Bradford and apprentice Natasha Pitts from Scarborough are amongst the eight northern finalists hoping for national award success at The Skills Show at the NEC in Birmingham on 14th November when the winners will be announced.

The awards, run by the National Apprenticeship Service, recognise excellence in two areas: businesses that grow their own talent through Apprenticeships and apprentices who have made a significant contribution to their workplaces.

All the region’s finalists have previously won in their category at the regional awards held in September and they are now hoping for their talent to be recognised on the national stage.

All firms from across the north to be competing at the awards are:

• Barlows UK Ltd in Malpas - Nuclear Decommissioning Site Licence Companies Medium Employer of the Year (25 - 249 employees)
• Liebherr Sunderland Works Ltd in Sunderland - Nuclear Decommissioning Site Licence Companies Medium Employer of the Year (25 - 249 employees)
• Kier North Tyneside Ltd in Killingworth – BAE Systems Large Employer of the Year (250 – 4,999 employees)
• Gordons LLP in Bradford – Investors in People Apprenticeship Newcomer

Apprentices that have successfully reached the final from the North include:

• Sarah Ratcliffe from Sarah’s Hair in Bolton – EAL Advanced Level Apprentice of the Year
• Chloe Gailes from Barclays Bank PLC in Knutsford - City & Guilds Apprentice Champion of the Year
• Nichola Mitchell from BAE Systems in Blackburn - City & Guilds Apprentice Champion of the Year
• Natasha Pitts from Dale Power Solutions Ltd in Scarborough – Unilever Higher Level Apprentice of the Year

Skills and Enterprise Minister Matthew Hancock congratulated the Yorkshire finalists on their success: “The finalists in the National Apprenticeship Awards demonstrate how Apprenticeships deliver for employers, young people, adults and the economy.”

“They represent the very best of employers and apprentices in this country and set a hugely positive example for other individuals and organisations to follow.”

Sue Price, Divisional Area Director for the National Apprenticeship Service in the North, added: “An Apprenticeship is a way for young people and adult learners to earn while they learn in a real job, gaining a real qualification and a real future and it is only the nation’s top apprentices, who through hard work and determination, have made outstanding contributions in their workplaces, that get this far.”

“Meanwhile, hiring apprentices helps businesses to grow their own talent by developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce and it is only those employers who put Apprenticeships right at the heart of their organisation that make it through to this stage.

“All our finalists should be very proud of their achievements and we wish them all every success for 14 November.”

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