The Dorset Apprenticeship Awards, celebrating the success of rising stars in the workplace, have opened for entries to mark the start of National Apprenticeship Week.
Dorset Chamber has joined forces with the Dorset and Somerset Training Provider Network for the initiative with sponsorship from manufacturing firm Superior Seals.
Honours in the second annual competition will be presented in four categories at an awards ceremony with the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset in May.
The categories are:
- Level 2 (Intermediate) Apprentice of the Year
- Level 3 (Advanced) Apprentice of the Year
- Level 4 or 5 Higher Apprentice of the Year
- Degree Apprentice of the Year
They are free to enter with entries invited from apprentices and their employers across the private, public and charitable sectors.
Ian Girling, chief executive of Dorset Chamber, said: “These awards will celebrate the hugely important contribution that apprentices make to business in Dorset.
“They also aim to recognise the personal achievements of apprentices and the impact of the apprenticeship programme on lives.
“Apprentices are the future of our business community. The inaugural awards held last year highlighted some truly inspirational stories and I’m looking forward to seeing more incredible entries this time around.”
Entrants must be currently undertaking an apprenticeship programme, or have completed a programme within the last twelve months. Entries close on March 17.
Tim Brown, managing director of Wimborne-based Superior Seals, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Dorset Apprenticeship Awards once again as we are passionate believers in the benefits of apprenticeship training.
“Superior’s own experiences and results have far exceeded our expectations, and we are dedicated to encouraging other organisations to discover the fantastic advantages that having skilled apprentices within your system will bring.”
Each finalist, along with three guests, will be invited to an awards celebration lunch on May 16.
Winners will be presented with their trophy by His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Dorset in front of dignitaries. Each winner will be profiled in the Dorset Business Focus magazine.
The Dorset Apprenticeship Awards are separate to the Dorset Business Awards, which are being held in October of this year as part of a three-day festival of business.
They tie in with the chamber’s mission of ‘enabling better lives through business’.
Last year’s winners included Intermediate Apprentice of the Year Ellie Edmonds of ABP Yetminster, Advanced Apprentice of the Year Cameron Hearn of Frettens Solicitors, and Higher and Degree Apprentice of the Year Rebecca Buck of Dorset Council.
ENDS