Home > News > December 2005 > 02-Dec-2005

Minister launches 2006 Apprenticeship Awards

The 2006 Apprenticeship Awards were launched yesterday by the minister for skills, Phil Hope MP.

The minister unveiled a photography exhibition entitled 'The Age of the Apprentice' at a launch event held at the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London. He said: "It is an honour to open this exhibition that shows how Apprenticeships have evolved from their conception centuries ago, to the broad range of Apprenticeships, spanning 80 sectors of industry that are available today.

"As I said at the 2005 Awards ceremony in June, today's Apprenticeships provide wonderful opportunities for young people and employers alike. Young people have an opportunity to learn while they earn and to access excellent vocational training and build sustainable careers. Employers are helped to build a skilled workforce, equipped with the knowledge and experience they need to compete and stay ahead in the global economy.

"The Apprenticeship Awards allow us to reward these employers and young people for their achievements and their contribution to the economy."

The Awards will be the third held by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). Stephen Gardner, director of work based learning at the LSC, said: "Today's exhibition is the perfect way to launch the 2006 Apprenticeship Awards, as it highlights that gone are the days when apprentices 'belonged' to their master, in contrast today's apprentices are valued members of the workforce whose skills, thoughts and ideas are contributing directly to their employers' success.

"The quality of entries from both apprentices and employers for the 2004 and 2005 Awards were outstanding, we received over 1,000 entries in 2005 alone and look forward to beating that in 2006. The Awards provide us with the opportunity to recognise the outstanding contribution businesses are making to raise skill levels, and improve productivity and competitiveness nationally."

Employers can enter one of four categories, depending on company size, they are Micro (for 1-9 employees), Small (10-49 employees), Medium (50-249 employees) and Large (250+ employees). According to the LSC they will be assessed on a number of criteria including implementation of the Apprenticeship programme, clear demonstration of the way Apprenticeships have benefited their business and the level of support provided to their apprentices.

In addition to the employer awards, five awards will be awarded to Apprentices, including Apprentice of the Year and, for the first time in 2006, for the Young Apprentice of the Year, following the introduction of Young Apprenticeships in 2004 for those aged 14 to 16, in full time education,

The 2006 Awards are being sponsored by City & Guilds. Chris Humphries, director general at City & Guilds said: "We are delighted to sponsor the Awards for the second year running. As well as applauding individual and employer successes, these Awards highlight the real economic benefits that apprenticeships have to offer."

External link

For more information about the 2006 Apprenticeship Awards, visit: www.apprenticeships.org.uk/awards

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