Top apprentices and leading employers from around the country gathered at an exclusive ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House last night to recognise the nation’s top apprentices and apprenticeship employers. Six companies, three apprentices and one former apprentice received recognition in this year’s National Apprenticeship Awards.
Apprenticeships truly are set to be one of the great success stories of the decade, and tonight’s winners and finalists are worthy ambassadors. We are committed to three million apprenticeships by 2020 so that even more businesses and young people can reap the benefits of apprenticeships,” said Skills Minister Nick Boles.
The award winners, representing a range of sectors and regions, fought off competition from more than 1200 entrants to receive their awards and were congratulated by Nadhim Zahawi MP, the Prime Minister’s Apprenticeship Adviser at the ceremony last night.
“Good quality apprenticeships create a fairer society by giving hard working young people the chance to aim for their dream job whilst playing their part in building a stronger economy for Britain.”
There are many examples of excellent apprenticeships and apprentices in England and these winners are the best of the best,” said Zahawi.
The awards, now in their 12th 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.
“Apprenticeships offer a fantastic way for many young people of all backgrounds to earn as they learn while providing employers with the transferable skills needed to take their business from strength to strength. We currently have record-breaking levels of employment – and this is boosted by prospects like apprenticeships. I want to see this continue.”
“By working closely with businesses and taking steps like rolling out our ‘Jobcentre Plus Support for Schools’ programme to teach pupils about work experience, apprenticeships and traineeships, we are helping to create an even more flexible and resilient labour market for the future,” said Employment Minister Priti Patel.
The night also saw the publication of the prestigious Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer list which is compiled annually by the National Apprenticeship Service in partnership with City & Guilds and recognises excellence in businesses that employ apprentices.
The list features the most exceptional apprenticeship employers from all National Apprenticeship Awards employer categories and showcases the breadth of employers who now offer apprenticeships and can be found here.
