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2010 Apprenticeship Awards

Sellafield Ltd received a top accolade for its Apprenticeship scheme at last night's Apprenticeship Awards, organised by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS).

NAS says the award recognises the firm's success in using apprentices to meet the needs of its business and the community it operates in.

The Cumbria-based energy company has recruited apprentices for over 50 years, currently employing 320 with a view to increasing this number in the future.

Sellafield, named Macro Employer of the Year, was amongst eight winners at the awards ceremony, which took place in Westminster. The award winners were:

Young Apprentice of the Year

• Winner: Todd Lowndes
• Highly commended: Jack Hall, Luke Jennings

Apprentice of the Year

• Winner: Holly Manley
• Highly commended: Joel Dowse, Kirstie Woodford

Advanced Apprentice of the Year

• Winner: Sunè Brunton
• Highly commended: Philippa Wilson, Melinda Fairfax

Micro Employer of the Year

• Winner: Contemporary Flowers, South East
• Highly commended: Cox of Torbay, South West and Cutz Both Ways, East of England

Small Employer of the Year

• Winner: Royal Airforce Museum Cosford, West Midlands
• Highly commended: M.K Wildin & Sons Ltd, South West and Michael & Margaret Naylor & Associates, Yorkshire & Humber

Medium Employer of the Year

• Winner: Rosy Apple Childcare Ltd, North West
• Highly commended: Kawasaki Precision Machinery (UK) Ltd, South West and Shearline Precision Engineering Ltd, East of England

Large Employer of the Year

• Winner: City of Lincoln Council, East Midlands
• Highly commended: Bramall Construction, Yorkshire & the Humber and Skandia UK, South East

Macro Employer of the Year

• Winner: Sellafield Ltd, North West
• Highly commended: Barchester Healthcare Ltd, National Employer Service finalist and Rolls- Royce plc, East Midlands

John Hayes, minister for further education, skills and lifelong learning, said: "Apprenticeships play a huge role in providing the skills we need to build an advanced economy. They help get young people into work and boost productivity and improve competitiveness.

"I am just about to take on an apprentice myself, so I know the benefits they can bring to the workplace. The Apprenticeship Awards recognise and celebrate these benefits as well as the hard work of individuals and the commitment of employers to invest in their workforce.

"For this Government, skills are a priority and apprenticeships are at the heart of our determination to produce a new generation of craftsmen capable of building a highly skilled, competitive economy."

Simon Waugh, chief executive of NAS, said: "Apprenticeships make a positive contribution to businesses of all sizes and from all sectors and it's been great to celebrate this through the awards. I hope the success stories highlighted by the awards encourage many more organisations and individuals to find out more about Apprenticeships."

Chris Jones, director general and CEO of presenting sponsor City & Guilds said: "The Apprenticeship Awards celebrate the best of the nation's students and employers from across the country, showing the breadth and quality of Apprenticeship programmes available.

"It is humbling to hear our winners' inspirational stories, some of whom have achieved extraordinary results against all odds. At a time when the country is preparing for an upturn, it is talented and motivated people like them who will contribute to future economic growth and prosperity."

The award winners, who had won their respective regional heats, attended a reception and ceremony at the Park Plaza Hotel, Westminster.

The Apprenticeship Awards sponsors include: City & Guilds, presenting sponsor; Unilever UK, sponsor of Young Apprentice of the Year; EDI, sponsor of Apprentice of the Year; EAL (EMTA Awards Ltd), sponsor of Advanced Apprentice of the Year; Skills for Care, sponsor of Micro Employer of the Year; BT, sponsor of Small Employer of the Year; NDA/Sellafield, sponsor of Medium Employer of the Year; and BAE Systems, sponsor of Large Employer of the Year; Cable & Wireless, sponsor of Macro Employer of the Year; Southampton Solent University, VIP reception sponsor; and BPP, Finalist Awards Films sponsor.

External links

For more information about the Apprenticeship Awards and Apprenticeships, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk

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