A SUNNY evening at Skipton Castle provided the perfect setting for the inaugural Craven College Apprenticeship Awards.

After a fizz and canapé reception, award winning apprentices, their employers and guests took part in the ceremony where winners and runners up were announced in seven categories.

Richard Swires, the college’s apprenticeship manager started the evening by congratulating everyone.

“The Apprenticeship Awards are a great opportunity to showcase the excellent employment opportunities we have in the area. Together we are developing highly skilled and talented individuals whilst contributing to the growth of local businesses and economy.

“Apprentices - these awards are designed to celebrate everything you have achieved throughout your apprenticeship and recognise your contribution to your workplace. You have all demonstrated excellent skills and knowledge specific to your chosen vocation whilst at the same time you have grown and developed in your professionalism.”

And, addressing the employers, he said: “Although we are immensely proud of our apprentice’s achievements, none of this would be possible without you. We are also here to celebrate your dedication and commitment to train and develop an apprentice and give them the opportunity to start a career in your business.”

The college has been graded ‘outstanding’ for its apprenticeships by Ofsted in 2016 and again in 2018.

Mr Swires said: “This is something we can all be proud of as it is through our strong relationships with you, our employers, the expertise and support of the college staff and apprenticeship team and dedication and hard work of our apprentices that have made this possible.

“Well done to all our finalists and winners here today. We are extremely proud of you and wish you all the best for your continued development in your career.”

Lindsey Johnson, director of business and community development, who revealed the winners and runners up added: “Out of the 650 Craven College apprentices, it is a great honour for the award winners to even be nominated.”

Results:

Most improved Apprentice: Winner : Emily Hodges Bowland Bioenergy Ltd; Runner-up : Annie Parker Stainton Hall Farm

0utstanding working relationship with customers: Winner : Sonny Adams Squashed Pixel Ltd; Runner-up : Luke McCarthy CPOMS

Outstanding contribution to the business:

Joint Winners: Chloe Green Craven District Council; Rebecca Nicholas, Sigmat

Rising Star:Winner: Sian Bentley, Cumbria Wildlife Trust; Runner-up : Jack Bailey, Skipton Building Society

Outstanding Skills: Winner: Samantha Philips, Abacus Nursery & Pre-School; Runner-up : Aiden Cooper, KT Green Suburu & Isuzu

Outstanding Apprentice Employer of the Year (nominated by Apprentices): Winner: Bowland Bioenergy; Runner-up : Craven District Council

Craven College Choice Award For Outstanding Employer (Nominated by Craven College staff): Winner : Barnetts, Skipton

Ms Johnson said: “Since Craven College started delivering apprenticeships, Barnetts have had the most apprentices with us. Barnetts have excellent, regular in-house training each week in addition to the training the apprentices receive in college, alongside a designated trainer who mentors them.”

Ross Harrison, people development consultant, Skipton Building Society, said: “Skipton Building Society really value apprentices. As the biggest employer in the area, we already have 88 working within the business. We aim to increase this number and we want to build a partnership with Craven College.”

Joanne Sherrington, interim principal, Craven College summed up the evening with: “ It takes a committed employer to train up the apprentice, a committed apprentice employee and a committed apprenticeship team to support both the employer and the apprentice and happily we have all three, which adds up to an outstanding offer.”