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Outstanding Apprentices Celebrated At Annual Awards Ceremony

Over 40 of the region’s most accomplished apprentices came together virtually last night for Cheshire College’s Apprenticeship Awards 2021, which recognise learners who have exceeded expectations and made significant contributions to their workplaces.

One of the most anticipated events in Cheshire College’s calendar the Apprenticeship Awards, which are now in their fifteenth year, culminated a week’s worth of activity across the College as they celebrated National Apprenticeship Week 2021.

Throughout the course of the evening 12 awards were presented to apprentices and apprenticeship providers, as guests tuned in live to watch the ceremony which included insightful talks with some of the North West’s top employers who discussed the real value of apprenticeships and how they build the future of businesses.

Dhesi, Principal and CEO of Cheshire College, said: “All of last night’s Apprenticeship Award winners demonstrated outstanding levels of achievements and it was delightful to hear the motivating stories about how they have helped their businesses adapt and build during what has been a tremendously difficult year. They really are the cream-of-the-crop and should be immensely proud of their accomplishments.

“All of our Apprenticeship Award nominees demonstrate how apprenticeships can you take you anywhere and here at Cheshire College, we’re extremely proud of our apprenticeship programmes which deliver high-quality and relevant training for a diverse range of industries.”

Karen Roberts, Assistant Principal - Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement, commented: “Cheshire College’s Annual Apprenticeship Awards are always a fantastic evening and whilst this year’s celebrations looked slightly different, it was fantastic to celebrate our high calibre of learners who strive to achieve the very best through their hard work, dedication and commitment.”

South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce and West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce were Headline Sponsors of this year’s Apprenticeship Awards with many local employers also sponsoring individual award categories.

Kayleigh Johnson, Business Administration Apprentice at Bentley Motors, was just one of the evening’s winners taking home the award for ‘Business, Administration and Law Apprentice of the Year’ after being nominated for demonstrating exceptional commitment, which has seen her be promoted during her Apprenticeship.

On winning her award, Kayleigh said: “I am so happy that I pushed myself out my comfort zone and realised my own capabilities - not only has it paid off as I have completed my Apprenticeship, but it has also allowed me to win this award, which is a huge achievement.

“I loved completing my Apprenticeship in Business Administration and would highly recommend it to anyone who is considering an Apprenticeship in this sector.”

As the largest provider of post-16 education in the region with Campuses in Crewe, Ellesmere Port and Chester, Cheshire College has over 1,400 Apprentices and works with more than 800 local, national and international employers to deliver Apprenticeships across 14 sector subject areas.

Full list of the evening’s winners:

Health, Public Services and Care Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by North West Boroughs

  • WINNER: Craig Bell, Cheshire Fire and Rescue
  • HIGHLY COMMENDED: Hayley Peers, Making Space

Engineering and Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Essar

  • WINNER: Abigail Williams, Unilever
  • HIGHLY COMMENDED: Stephen Roberts, ERIKS

Construction and Building Services Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Unipart Rail

  • WINNER: Kieron Shenton, Macclesfield Maintenance
  • HIGHLY COMMENDED: Teigan Salt, Ringway Jacobs

Retail and Commercial Enterprise Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Encirc

  • WINNER: Joel De Ledger St Claire, House of Hair
  • HIGHLY COMMENDED: Kaine Reed, Beartown Tap

Education and Training Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Edsential

  • WINNER: Emma Plested, The Arches Primary School
  • HIGHLY COMMENDED: Dominesha Biles, Meadow Primary School

Business, Administration and Law Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Hixon Group

  • WINNER: Kayleigh Johnson, Bentley Motors
  • HIGHLY COMMENDED: Ryan Fahy, PCC (Primary Care Cheshire)

Cheshire College Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Cheshire College

  • WINNER: Joseph Steffenini, Cheshire College
  • HIGHLY COMMENDED: Rebecca McGlone, Cheshire College

Award for Exceptional Contribution, sponsored by 1st Enable and Survitec

  • WINNER: Pamela Crehan, St Helens and Knowsley Hospital NHS Trust
  • WINNER: Stephen Whitmore, Chromalloy

Award for Outstanding Progress, sponsored by Advance

  • WINNER: Michael Gillen, Magus Electronics
  • HIGHLY COMMENDED: Michaela Murray, Making Space

Employer of the Year, sponsored by Cheshire College

  • WINNER: Cherry Grove Primary School
  • HIGHLY COMMENDED: Phillip Hughes Hairdressing

New Apprenticeship Employer of the Year, sponsored by Cheshire College

  • WINNER: Vivo Care Choices
  • HIGHLY COMMENDED: Encirc

To find out more about being an Apprentice visit ccsw.ac.uk, email apprenticeships@ccsw.ac.uk or call 01270 654654 / 01244 656555. If you are an employer interested in benefitting from an Apprentice, email employers@ccsw.ac.uk or call the employer hotline on 01244 656499.

  • Cheshire College is the largest provider of post-16 education in the region offering exciting opportunities to 11,000 learners and 1,400 Apprentices.
  • Their modern Campuses across Cheshire in Crewe, Ellesmere Port and Chester have world-class facilities which are the result of a £140m investment in the latest technology and real work environments.
  • The College provides learners with the skills, experience and qualifications that will prepare them for their future career or higher-level study and encourage them to become confident individuals who will make valuable contributions to businesses and the local economy.
  • With extremely important values which guide the way they work with each other, their partners and within communities, Cheshire College empower individuals and nurture talent, taking the time to listen, help and care, whilst always acting with honesty, integrity and trust.
  • Cheshire College offers a range of courses from Entry Level to Level 7 in: A Levels; Full-time courses; Apprenticeships; Part-time courses for adults; Access and Higher Education courses; bespoke training for employers; Maths, English, IT and ESOL courses for adults; programmes for International learners; Futures Programme for learners aspiring to progress to university.
  • They are also the only Further Education College in Cheshire to have been selected by the Government to offer a new two-year qualification, T Levels, from September 2021.
  • Cheshire College works with key stakeholders and leads on initiatives to provide high-quality education for all ages in Crewe, Ellesmere Port and Chester.
  • They also work with employers, industries and organisations to drive economic growth through the development of future e-focused skills.
  • Cheshire College is on a mission to develop digital across the community with their new five-year project, ‘The Digital Hub’, which is part of a £5m investment made by Cheshire and Warrington LEP. The Digital Hub aims to deliver skills and career pathways in additive manufacturing and Virtual and Augmented Reality, as well as improve Advanced Manufacturing Skills to expand digital infrastructures in existing workforces and facilitate access to technology within community organisations.
  • The College has strong links with local businesses of all sizes and work with many major employers such as Bentley, Brownlow Furniture, Ecolab, Vauxhall Motors, Scottish Power, Unilever, Brunning and Price and National Grid.
  • Cheshire College are an approved Apprenticeship provider and can support local employers who are using the Levy system to recruit and train Apprentices within their business.

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