Member Article

Bolton apprentice wins National Apprenticeship Award

Shannon Green from Bolton was revealed as the Unilever sponsored Intermediate Apprentice of the Year at the National Apprenticeship Awards at an exclusive ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House.

The Awards, now in their fourteenth year, are run by the National Apprenticeship Service and recognise excellence in two areas: businesses that grow their own talent with apprentices and apprentices who have made a significant contribution to their workplaces.

Shannon’s dream career was to be a travel agent. After leaving school with excellent grades and being accepted to all the colleges she applied for, she landed a job at her local travel agent, Althams Travel, after seeing a vacancy in the window for an apprentice.

Shannon, aged 20, loved the idea of learning while earning and also gaining invaluable hands-on experience in travel retail. She joined Althams Travel in August 2013 as an apprentice and has never looked back. After becoming a fully-qualified travel agent at aged just 18, Shannon is now assistant manager of the branch.

On accepting the award, Shannon said:

“I am delighted to have been part of the National Apprenticeship Awards and be named as national winner of the Intermediate Apprentice of the Year.

I am so proud that my apprenticeship has lead me along an amazing learning journey and given me opportunities to progress in my chosen career. Listening to such inspirational achievements from other apprentices has really confirmed that apprenticeships are an opportunity open to all. I am so proud to have been a part of this amazing experience.“

Skills and Apprenticeships Minister Anne Milton said:

“The National Apprenticeship Awards ceremony is a great opportunity to celebrate the work so many individuals and employers have done to champion apprenticeships.

“I want to congratulate everyone that was a part of these awards for their contribution to apprenticeships in England. They are all fantastic advocates of hard work and ambition, and they highlight how apprenticeships are a great route into skilled employment for people of all ages and backgrounds.”

Andy Sztehlo, Global R&D VP, Ice Cream at Unilever, said:

“Unilever are proud sponsors of the National Apprenticeship Awards. We recognise that this is a great opportunity to showcase our strong commitment to apprenticeships and our investment in developing our talent of the future.

“The National Apprenticeship Awards recognise the amazing achievements of the nation’s top apprenticeship employers and apprentices.

“All three finalists must be congratulated for reaching the finals of the prestigious National Apprentice Awards for 2017. Shannon has shown ongoing commitment and enthusiasm to her apprenticeship programme and I wish her every success for the future.

“Apprenticeships provide the skills and support a young person needs to unlock a bright future that’s full of opportunities and new experiences.”

Sue Husband, Director of the National Apprenticeship Service added:

“The National Apprenticeship Awards showcase the breadth of apprenticeships on offer in a range of dynamic industries across the country. Apprenticeships are for everyone and I thank every employer and apprentice celebrated for their passion for, and commitment to, apprenticeships.

“This year’s winners are all shining examples of how apprenticeships develop outstanding talent whilst enhancing the incredible work of employers. I am certain all of our winners have a bright future thanks to the enriching benefits that apprenticeships bring.”

Exciting changes to the future format of the National Apprenticeship Awards was also announced. More information about these will be released in March.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sareen Gosal .