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National Apprenticeship Awards 2020 regional winners announced

The National Apprenticeship Awards 2020 regional winners have been announced, with winners from a wide range of industries and occupations.

• From: Education and Skills Funding Agency
• Published: 2 November 2020
• Last updated: 6 November 2020 — See all updates

This was published under the 2019 to 2022 Johnson Conservative government

The National Apprenticeship Awards 2020 regional finals commenced this week with virtual ceremonies taking place up and down the country.

The awards kicked off on Monday 2 November, with events to recognise apprentice employers, apprentices, Rising Stars and Champions at ceremonies taking place across England, to celebrate apprenticeships and the benefits they bring to individuals, businesses and local communities.

Back for their 17th year, the National Apprenticeship Awards are a fantastic opportunity to highlight business and individual success in apprenticeships. Particularly poignant this year, given the challenges many employers and apprentices have faced during the pandemic. Each online ceremony will recognise apprentices that have gone above and beyond to make a difference whilst undertaking their apprenticeship.

Apprentice employers, apprentices and apprenticeship champions from all industries entered the awards – with over 1,100 entries received.

Gillian Keegan, Apprenticeships and Skills Minister said:

“Huge congratulations to all of the regional winners. The National Apprenticeship Awards are a fantastic opportunity to showcase the range of exciting apprenticeships available across so many industries including digital, health, construction and the public sector.

“Apprenticeships are a great way of attracting new talent, helping to make sure employers of all sizes have access to the skills they need to grow. They will play a vital role rebuilding our economy after the pandemic, transforming businesses and revitalising local communities.

“I wish all the winners the best of luck for the final virtual award ceremony in November.”

Apprenticeships are a cornerstone of the Chancellor’s Plan for Jobs to help the UK’s recovery from the pandemic. Through the Plan for Jobs a total of £1.6 billion will be invested in scaling up employment support schemes, training and apprenticeships to help people looking for a job.

This includes:

• The Incentive Payment for Hiring a New Apprentice, where businesses will be given £2,000 for each new apprentice they hire under the age of 25, and £1,500 for each apprentice aged 25 and over.

• A £111 million investment to triple the scale of traineeships in 2020-21 ensuring more young people have access to high quality training.

Peter Mucklow, director, Education and Skills Funding Agency added:

“Apprentices and apprentice employers are really flying the flag for apprenticeships at this time. We have recently announced the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers and I am now delighted to recognise the winners of the National Apprenticeship Awards in our English regions.

“Today marks the start of a week-long celebration of awards winners, with apprentices at all levels, and employers from a wide range of sectors and industries, all being recognised for their commitment to skills, through apprenticeships.

“Employers and apprentices alike continue to commit to apprenticeships for the many benefits they bring, and I admire that commitment, especially through the difficult period 2020 has brought. I offer a huge congratulations, not only to the winners and highly commended, but to all entrants to these awards.”

Winners and highly commended announced in the North East are:

Employer categories winners and highly commended:

• The British Army Award for Large Employer of the Year winner is Home Group Ltd. County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service is highly commended.

• The QA Award for Macro Employer of the Year winner is Cumbria Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust.

• The Accenture Award for Recruitment Excellence winner is County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service. Home Group Ltd is highly commended.

Individual categories winners and highly commended:

• The AstraZeneca Award for Intermediate Apprentice of the Year is Robert Carter from Newcastle Building Society.

• The BT Award for Advanced Apprentice of the Year winner is Joseph Little from South Tyneside Homes. Nicholas Waddle from Newcastle Building Society is highly commended.

• The Royal Navy Award for Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year is Tyler Mckeown from Sterling Pharma Solutions. Jessica Clark from WSP is highly commended.

• The Lloyds Banking Group Award for Rising Star of the Year winner is Jordan Brosnan from Coca-Cola European Partners. Simon Pettett from Wander Films is highly commended.

• The Royal Air Force Award for Apprentice Champion of the Year is Paula McMahon from Sir Robert McAlpine Ltd.

Winners and highly commended announced in Yorkshire and The Humber are:

• The BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT Award for SME Employer of the Year is KC Communications.

• The British Army Award for Large Employer of the Year is Covance Laboratories Ltd. Wakefield Council is highly commended.

• The QA Award for Macro Employer of the Year is Sheffield City Council. Anchor Hanover is highly commended.

• The Accenture Award for Recruitment Excellence winner is Wakefield Council. Covance Laboratories Ltd is highly commended.

Apprentice of the Year winners and highly commended:

• The BT Award for Advanced Apprentice of the Year is Emma Sisman from Niftylift. Alix Linford from Travis Perkins Plc is highly commended.

• The Royal Navy Award for Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year is Braidey Greenbank from Croda Europe Limited. Sabreen Anwar from Lloyds Banking Group is highly commended.

• The Lloyds Banking Group Award for Rising Star of the Year is Nicola Scott from Asda Stores LTD. Kurt Vardey from Sunbelt Rentals is highly commended.

• The Royal Air Force Award for Apprentice Champion of the Year winner is Dorothy Alexander from Anchorhanover. Sally Campbell from Patriot Games Ltd is highly commended.

Winners and highly commended announced in the North West are:

Employer categories winners and highly commended:

• The BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, Award for SME Employer of the Year winner is Crowberry Consulting Ltd. Energus is highly commended.

• The British Army Award for Large Employer of the Year winner is WEC Group Ltd. AJ Bell plc is highly commended.

• The QA Award for Macro Employer of the Year winner is United Utilities. Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust is highly commended.

• The Accenture Award for Recruitment Excellence winner is Lancashire and South Cumbria NHS Foundation Trust. Energus is highly commended.

Individual categories winners and highly commended:

• The AstraZeneca Award for Intermediate Apprentice of the Year winner is Rachel Burke from Stockport Homes Group.

• The BT Award for Advanced Apprentice of the Year winner is Alex Headspith from Science and Technology Facilities Council. Charlotte Callister from Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council is highly commended.

• The Royal Navy Award for Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year winner is Harriet Willsher from IBM UK Ltd. Olivia Grogan from IBM UK Ltd is highly commended.

• The Lloyds Banking Group Award for Rising Star of the Year winner is Howard Jackson from IBM UK Ltd. Andrew Taylor from McDonald’s Restaurants Ltd is highly commended.

• The Royal Air Force Award for Apprentice Champion of the Year winner is Neil Wainwright-Farrar from Clarity Travel. Chido Mabanda from RedEye International Ltd is highly commended.

Winners and highly commended announced in the East Midlands are:

Employer categories winners and highly commended:

• The BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, Award for SME Employer of the Year winner is NetSupport. Hot House Music is highly commended.

• The British Army Award for Large Employer of the Year winner is Motus Commercials. Childbase Partnership Ltd is highly commended.

• The QA Award for Macro Employer of the Year winner is Whitbread PLC. Travis Perkins Group is highly commended.

• The Accenture Award for Recruitment Excellence winner is Childbase Partnership Ltd. Hot House Music is highly commended.

Individual categories winners and highly commended:

• The AstraZeneca Award for Intermediate Apprentice of the Year winner is Aron Marshall from COOP. James Russell from PJ Care Ltd is highly commended.

• The BT Award for Advanced Apprentice of the Year winner is Thomas Fearn from Apprentice Team Ltd. Rachael Wragg from Lincoln Cathedral Works Department is highly commended.

• The Royal Navy Award for Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year winner is Ross Irvine from Wincanton PLC. Jack Calvert from Santander UK PLC is highly commended.

• The Lloyds Banking Group Award for Rising Star of the Year winner is Pym Westrik from Highways England. Heather Marchant from PJ Care Ltd is highly commended.

• The Royal Air Force Award for Apprentice Champion of the Year winner is Simeon Powell from Motorpoint. Kerry Bentley from DBC Training is highly commended.

Winners and highly commended announced in the West Midlands are:

Employer categories winners and highly commended:

• The BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, Award for SME Employer of the Year winner is Crimson Limited. Penny Post Credit Union Ltd (PPCU) is highly commended.

• The British Army Award for Large Employer of the Year winner is The Coventry Building Society. High Speed Two (HS2) Ltd is highly commended.

• The QA Award for Macro Employer of the Year winner is Mitchells & Butlers. Sandwell MBC is highly commended.

• The Accenture Award for Recruitment Excellence winner is Mitchells & Butlers. Sandwell MBC is highly commended.

Individual categories winners and highly commended:

• The AstraZeneca Award for Intermediate Apprentice of the Year winner is John Brookes from Anchor Hanover Harden Hall. Jake Weston-Holmes from Greene King is highly commended.

• The BT Award for Advanced Apprentice of the Year winner is Chris Jones from J.C. Bamford Excavators Limited. Chloe Gregory from Voyage Care is highly commended.

• The Royal Navy Award for Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year winner is Manoj Vadher from Royal Mail. Lauren Carroll from Mitchells & Butlers is highly commended.

• The Lloyds Banking Group Award for Rising Star of the Year winner is Nihal Dhillon from J C Bamford Excavators Limited. Chris Owen from J C Bamford Excavators Limited is highly commended.

• The Royal Air Force Award for Apprentice Champion of the Year winner is Laura Bennett from LBU Consulting Ltd. Suzanne Smith from Cygnet Healthcare is highly commended.

Winners and highly commended announced in the East of England are:

• The BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, Award for SME Employer of the Year winner is Rose Builders. Impossible Creations Ltd is highly commended.

• The British Army Award for Large Employer of the Year winner is Flagship-Group. VINCI PLC is highly commended.

• The QA Award for Macro Employer of the Year winner is Hilton. Willis Towers Watson is highly commended.

• The Accenture Award for Recruitment Excellence winner is Rose Builders. Hilton is highly commended.

Individual categories winners and highly commended:

• The BT Award for Advanced Apprentice of the Year winner is Rebecca Arnott from PJ Care Ltd. Harrison Reeve from Vinci Construction UK is highly commended.

• The Royal Navy Award for Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year winner is Laurie Weatherall from GlaxoSmithKline. James Kimpton from British Telecoms (BT) is highly commended.

• The Lloyds Banking Group Award for Rising Star of the Year winner is Charlotte Brett from Mid and South Essex Foundation Trust. Lauren Hildreth from NHS Professionals is highly commended.

• The Royal Air Force Award for Apprentice Champion of the Year winner is Melissa Garratt from MBDA UK. Barbara Paschalis from University of Cambridge – Department of Engineering is highly commended.

Winners and highly commended announced in London are:

Employer categories winners and highly commended:

• The BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, Award for SME Employer of the Year winner is Troup Bywaters + Anders. Blue Structural Engineering LLP is highly commended.

• The British Army Award for Large Employer of the Year winner is MTR Elizabeth Line. Bombardier is highly commended.

• The QA Award for Macro Employer of the Year winner is BAE Systems plc. Cisco Systems Ltd is highly commended.

• The Accenture Award for Recruitment Excellence winner is MTR Elizabeth Line. BAE Systems plc is highly commended.

Individual categories winners and highly commended:

• The AstraZeneca Award for Intermediate Apprentice of the Year winner is Joshua Foord from Sunbelt Rentals. Alex Bruckner from Pets At Home is highly commended.

• The BT Award for Advanced Apprentice of the Year winner is Alexander Bor from BP. Jamie Mewburn-Crook from National Physical Laboratory is highly commended.

• The Royal Navy Award for Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year winner is Joshua Jackson from Breyer Group. Tom Woolford from IBM is highly commended.

• The Lloyds Banking Group Award for Rising Star of the Year winner is Luke Munday from Accenture. Benjamin Green from Royal Mail Group is highly commended.

• The Royal Air Force Award for Apprentice Champion of the Year winner is Jenny Taylor from IBM UK Limited. Elizabeth Obertelli from Breyer Group is highly commended.

Winners and highly commended announced in the South East are:

Employer categories winners and highly commended:

• The BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, Award for SME Employer of the Year winner is Snow-Camp Charity. Total Carbide Ltd is highly commended.

• The British Army Award for Large Employer of the Year winner is Community Homes of Intensive Care and Education Ltd. DAF Trucks Limited is highly commended.

• The QA Award for Macro Employer of the Year winner is AWE plc. UK Power Networks is highly commended.

• The Accenture Award for Recruitment Excellence winner is AWE plc. Community Homes of Intensive Care and Education Ltd is highly commended.

Individual categories winners and highly commended:

• The AstraZeneca Award for Intermediate Apprentice of the Year winner is Abubakar Siddique from Corps of the Royal Engineers. Jacob Manders from Redding & Redding Ltd T/A Buckingham Ford is highly commended.

• The BT Award for Advanced Apprentice of the Year winner is Roseanna Harvey from Cripps Pemberton Greenish. Teya Agnese from The University of Oxford is highly commended.

• The Royal Navy Award for Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year winner is Eleanor Murray from BT. Celine Williams from IBM UK Ltd is highly commended.

• The Lloyds Banking Group Award for Rising Star of the Year winner is Max Tavinor from Pearson PLC. Lori French from IBM UK Ltd is highly commended.

• The Royal Air Force Award for Apprentice Champion of the Year winner is Alison Galvin from Invotra. Nicola Morgan from Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust is highly commended.

Winners and highly commended announced in the South West are:

Employer categories winners and highly commended:

• The BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, Award for SME Employer of the Year winner is Combe Pafford School. Spicerack Media Ltd is highly commended.

• The British Army Award for Large Employer of the Year winner is Wessex Water. Princess Yachts is highly commended.

• The QA Award for Macro Employer of the Year winner is the Royal Air Force. GWR is highly commended.

• The Accenture Award for Recruitment Excellence winner is Wessex Water. Combe Pafford School is highly commended.

Individual categories winners and highly commended:

• The AstraZeneca Award for Intermediate Apprentice of the Year winner is Maisey Hammond from Stroud District Council. William Piper from the Royal Navy is highly commended.

• The BT Award for Advanced Apprentice of the Year winner is Scott Murton from Ministry of Defence – Submarine Delivery Agency. Kieran Fudge from Siemens Healthineers is highly commended.

• The Royal Navy Award for Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year winner is Robbie Adams from IBM UK Ltd. Tobias Cowan from HepcoMotion is highly commended.

• The Lloyds Banking Group Award for Rising Star of the Year winner is Josh Gatton from Wessex Water. Harry Coburn from Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust is highly commended.

Regional ceremonies take place between 2 and 6 November, with the national ceremony broadcast taking place on Wednesday 25 November.

Watch the National Apprenticeship Awards 2019 national ceremony highlights:

Watch the National Apprenticeship Awards 2019 national ceremony highlights, follow @Apprenticeships on Twitter and the National Apprenticeship Service page on LinkedIn to keep up to date with all the latest awards information.

Follow @Apprenticeships on Twitter and the National Apprenticeship Service page on LinkedIn to keep up to date with all the latest awards information.

Published 2 November 2020
Last updated 6 November 2020 + show all updates

1. 6 November 2020

   Added the winners and highly commended awards for the South East and South West.

2. 5 November 2020

   East of England and London Apps award winners added.

3. 4 November 2020

   East and West Midlands winners announced.

4. 3 November 2020

   Winners and highly commended announced in the North West

5. 2 November 2020

   First published.