Awards Programme

The West MidlandsApprenticeship Awards 2009

2nd June 2009 12 noon - 3pmBirmingham Botanical Gardens

Foreword“Now in their sixth year, the Apprenticeship Awards recognise theachievements of individuals and the value and impact of Apprenticeshipsin improving business performance, tackling skills shortages andtransforming individual lives. The Awards also recognise employers whohave gained significant benefits from investment in Apprenticeships.

The exceptional quality of the award winners and nominees here todayfurther demonstrates that Apprenticeships are a fantastic and excitingcareer option for individuals of all ages. The National ApprenticeshipService in the West Midlands is rightly proud of the achievements of bothindividuals and employers represented here today and is delighted to beable to share in celebrating their success. I look forward to a number ofour finalists gaining the National recognition they deserve.”

Stephen Lilley, Regional Director, National Apprenticeship Service

Award CategoriesEmployer of the Year categories

The Employer of the Year Awards are designed to acknowledge and celebrate employers’ commitment to developingtheir workforces through Apprenticeships. There are four categories within this Award to recognise the differentapproaches to Apprenticeships taken by organisations of differing sizes, these are:

• Micro Employer of the Year: 1 - 9 employees• Small Employer of the Year: 10 - 49 employees• Large Employer of the Year: 250 - 4,999 employees• Macro Employer of the Year: 5,000+ employees

Finalists have successfully showcased the benefits to be gained from a commitment to Apprenticeships through:

Commitment:• To training their workforce through Apprenticeships• To embedding a training culture in their company• To the range/number of Apprenticeship frameworks supported• To future training and Apprenticeship development

Business benefits:• The training has enabled the business to improve, grow and perhaps even survive• The benefits are measurable and quantifiable

Best practice and transferability:• The entrant is an exemplar, and has the potential to act as a role model for other employers

Young Apprentice of the Year

Apprentices who are in the second year (Year 11) of a Young Apprenticeship programme. Successful applicants havedemonstrated considerable progress personally and in their studies:

• Commitment to personal development and progression through learning• Outstanding contributions during work placements, in particular, areas or projects where applicantsexceeded expectations

• Examples of achievement in learning and work placements• Inspirational qualities

Apprenticeship and Advanced Apprenticeship of the Year

Apprentices who are working towards, or have completed, an Apprenticeship or an Advanced Apprenticeship.

Winners have successfully demonstrated:• Commitment to personal development and progression through learning• Outstanding contributions to the workplace, in particular areas or projects where expectations have been exceeded• Examples of achievement and attainment in learning and work• Inspirational qualities

Turn over to read about apprentices and employers from acrossthe region...

Telford and Wrekin CouncilEmployer sector: Public councilLearning provider: Telford and Wrekin CouncilApprentices at present: 48 last five years: 138Apprenticeship frameworks offered: Youth Work, IT User, Active Leisure and Learning, Business Administration,Accounting, Customer Service

Approach to Apprenticeships: Because apprentices cannot be guaranteed permanent posts at the end of theirprogrammes, Telford and Wrekin Council equips them with job-seeking and interview skills to help them become ‘jobready’. The Council encourages its managers to consider apprentices when filling skills gaps, creating futureambassadors for local government.

Future plans for the Apprenticeship programme: Among other plans, Telford and Wrekin Council aims to increaseits pool of apprentices by asking each business manager to pledge to offer at least one new Apprenticeship in theirunit each year. The Council will continue showing Year 10, 11 and sixth-form students that there is an alternative tofurther and higher education.

Hendra Healthcare (Ludlow) LimitedEmployer sector: Private careLearning provider: Hendra House Rest HomeApprentices at present: 6 last five years: 10Apprenticeship frameworks offered: Heath and Social Care

Approach to Apprenticeships: Hendra Healthcare believes that its apprentices bring fresh new ideas, values andexpectations to the workplace - and this opportunity to challenge and review the way in which it works helps toimprove the quality of service it can give to residents.

Future plans for the Apprenticeship programme: The Apprenticeship initiative is embedded in Hendra Healthcare’sstrategic and human resource plans for the future. Although the company can only accommodate an average of twoapprentices per year, this number is likely to increase in the next two years.

Employer

Employer

Christopher LaneEmployer:Wolverhampton Wanderers Football ClubLearning provider: South Staffordshire College - Rodbaston CampusApprenticeship category: Amenity HorticultureApprentice since: September 2008

About the Apprenticeship: Christopher is Wolverhampton Wanderers’ first ever apprentice and has been in theposition for only eight months. He works on the grounds of the stadium and training field with general sports-turfduties, as well as carrying out divoting, brushing and line-marking.

Achievements: Christopher has gained two major training certificates to assist in his career as a groundsman:Competence in Pedestrian Mowers and Competence with Tractors with Attachments. He has made a big impact inhis role already, having been featured in an industry magazine as an exemplary apprentice and appearing in PR storiesfor Lantra - the skills council for the environmental and land-based sector. Christopher’s employers say if he continuesto show the promise he has so far shown, he will one day be at the top of his profession.

Whitefriars Housing GroupEmployer sector: Private housingLearning provider:Whitefriars Housing GroupApprentices at present: 15 last five years: 54Apprenticeship frameworks offered: Construction, Business Administration, Accounting

Approach to Apprenticeships:Whitefriars’ Apprenticeship scheme enables young people, often from disadvantagedbackgrounds, to enter a career in housing. It offers practical learning opportunities, including mentoring, specialproject work, shadowing and on-the-job training for apprentices, and has a proven reputation for caring for its recruits.

Future plans for the Apprenticeship programme:Whitefriars Housing Group aims to improve its trainingresources and is developing a city-based ‘treasure hunt’ to teach apprentices about building types, repairs,maintenance and safety. The organisation wishes to further nurture its apprentices’ personal skills, and develop itsrelationship with schools.

Employer

Apprentice

Esta-Jane MaceEmployer: Jaguar Land RoverApprenticeship category: EngineeringApprentice since: September 2006

About the Apprenticeship: Esta-Jane is training with the design department of Jaguar Land Rover, where she islearning hand and machine skills in the woodwork area, and body and finishing skills in the paint shop. Both areas aregiving Esta-Jane the knowledge and hands-on experience she needs to build world-class show cars.

Achievements: As well as obtaining an NVQ Level 2 and a double distinction in her National Certificate inEngineering, Esta-Jane is now studying for a Foundation Degree in Engineering and working towards NVQ Level 3.She cites her biggest achievements so far as being awarded the Apprentice of the Year at Jaguar Land Rover, andtaking a runner-up position for Coventry Apprentice of the Year. Having spoken at a careers fair at Kings Norton Girls’School, it was noted that Esta-Jane influenced many girls to show an interest in engineering.

Mohammed KhurramEmployer: Europa Worldwide LogisticsLearning provider: Gordon Franks TrainingApprenticeship category: Business AdministrationApprentice since: April 2007

About the Apprenticeship:Mohammed works as an export operator within a team of four. He is responsible forcontrolling all aspects of Europa Worldwide Logistics’ Swiss export market - from the purchase of trailers, to ensuringall consignments are customs-cleared and delivered. Mohammed informs HMRC of all commodities on the trailers.

Achievements: Since starting his Apprenticeship, Mohammed has obtained numerous Level 1 and 2 NVQs, gainingdistinction in Level 2 Business Administration. He became an integral part of the company very early on and managedto resolve a backlog of around 20 outstanding queries. Mohammed ensures that all queries from customers and HMCustoms & Excise are answered promptly. His employers have said that Mohammed’s performance is equal to that ofour experienced staff members, and his success is set to continue.

Apprentice

Apprentice

West Midlands Regional FinalistsEmployer of the Year:

Hendra Healthcare (Ludlow) LimitedJ&S Seddon LimitedJohn Cliff Building ServicesSpecial Metals Wiggin LimitedTelford and Wrekin CouncilThe Works Hair DesignWest Midlands Fire and RescueWhitefriars Housing Group

Young Apprentice of the Year:

Georgina Adderley Reflections Training AcademyLaura Bannister Reflections Training AcademyMelissa Erwin Barnsley Local AuthorityAshley Moore ZenosAidan Peat Jaguar Land RoverHarmeet Singh Telford College of Arts and Technology

Apprentice of the Year:

Sophie Beard Telford and Wrekin CouncilAdam Davis PGL Travel LtdGemma Ingram Hendra Healthcare (Ludlow) LimitedMohammed Khurram Europa Worldwide LogisticsChristopher Lane Wolverhampton Wanderers Football ClubThomas Rushbrooke The Three Horseshoes InnPeter Skelton NHS Princess Royal Hospital

Advanced Apprentice of the Year:

Nilesh Bhudia BTTrudi Ford Working LinksStephanie Harrison BTEsta-Jane Mace Jaguar Land RoverStephen Ord OpenreachAdam Walker Jaguar Land RoverStuart Wragg Jaguar Cars Ltd

To find out more about Apprenticeships visit apprenticeships.org.uk or call 08000 150 600