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Regional winners announced at Midlands celebration for National Apprenticeship Awards 2016.

The awards now in their 13th year, showcase many success stories and the benefits of apprenticeships across England.

Businesses and apprentices fought off tough competition by demonstrating how employers are growing their own talent with apprenticeships and how apprentices have made a significant contribution to their workplaces.

The Midland’s winners and highly commended entries were announced at an awards ceremony held at Sketchley Grange Hotel, Leicestershire.

This year’s winners for the East Midlands are:

Apprentice categories:

• Award for Intermediate Apprentice of the Year: Ryan Finnegan, Harborough District Council
• EAL Award for Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Edward Bleech, FCO Services
• The Nuclear Decommissioning Site Licence Companies Award for the Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year: Melissa Loonam, Rolls-Royce Plc

And highly commended:

• Award for Intermediate Apprentice of the Year: Pamela Chapman, Wigston Garage
• Award for Intermediate Apprentice of the Year: Nicolas Wadding, Blue Arrow
• EAL Award for Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Tom Teece, Rolls-Royce Plc
• EAL Award for Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Daniel Grice, FCO Services
• The Nuclear Decommissioning Site Licence Companies Award for the Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year: Scott Harding, Rolls-Royce Plc
• The Nuclear Decommissioning Site Licence Companies Award for the Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year: Christopher Cox, Rolls-Royce Plc

Employer categories:

• Medium Employer of the Year: Derry Building Services
• BAE Systems Award for Large Employer of the Year: Mercedes-Benz UK
• EON Award for Macro Employer of the Year: Whitbread
• Santander Award for Newcomer SME of the Year: A Place To Call Our Own

And highly commended in the employer categories are:

• Medium Employer of the Year: Canal Engineering Ltd
• BAE Systems Award for Large Employer of the Year: Childbase Partnership
• EON Award for Macro Employer of the Year: Travis Perkins PLC

This year’s winners for the West Midlands are:

Apprentice categories:

• Award for Intermediate Apprentice of the Year: Lauren Hinton, Lloyds Banking Group
• EAL Award for Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Emma Goulding, Siemens
• The Nuclear Decommissioning Site Licence Companies Award for the Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year: Jack Weston, Jaguar Land Rover

And highly commended:

• Award for Intermediate Apprentice of the Year: Daniel Adams, Shropshire Fire & Rescue
• EAL Award for Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Lauren Baker, Greenlighting Ltd
• EAL Award for Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Jack Bark, IBM UK Ltd
• The Nuclear Decommissioning Site Licence Companies Award for the Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year: Thomas Nicklin, Jaguar Land Rover

Employer categories:

• Unilever Small Employer of the Year: ISO Quality Services
• BAE Systems Award for Large Employer of the Year: The Community Housing Group
• EON Award for Macro Employer of the Year: Severn Trent Water
• Santander Award for Newcomer SME of the Year: eTech Solutions

And highly commended:

• Unilever Small Employer of the Year: Green Lighting Ltd
• BAE Systems Award for Large Employer of the Year: Redrow Homes Ltd
• BAE Systems Award for Large Employer of the Year: Volvo Trucks UK & Eire
• EON Award for Macro Employer of the Year: Interserve
• EON Award for Macro Employer of the Year: Warwickshire County Council

Following the 6 regional ceremonies taking place across England, winners from each category will have their entries sent for national judging. Three from each category will then be selected as national finalists. The very best employer category entries are also in the running to feature in the prestigious Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list 2016.

Skills and Apprenticeships Minister Robert Halfon said yesterday:

Apprenticeships are a ladder of opportunity, giving young people and adults the chance they deserve to get on and fulfil their potential.

Congratulations to everyone that has taken part in the National Apprenticeship Awards so far and the winners representing the Midlands. They have demonstrated just how much businesses and learners can gain from an apprenticeship.

Sue Husband, director, National Apprenticeship Service, added:

The National Apprenticeship Awards enable talented apprentices and committed employers to receive the recognition they truly deserve. Our awards not only celebrate the achievements of apprentices and businesses alike but they also encourage others to get involved in apprenticeships.

Today’s winners are the best of the best in the Midlands. I congratulate each and every one of them on their success and for those heading to the national finals, the very best of luck.

National award winners and the Top 100 Employers will be announced at a ceremony held on 20 January 2017 in London.

This year’s sponsors for the Midland’s awards are Sanctuary Housing Group; EMH Group and Black Country Colleges.

To find out more information about apprenticeships or to find out more on the apprenticeship awards visit GOV.UK.

Alternatively call 08000 150 600 or follow @apprenticeships on Twitter or National Apprenticeship Service on LinkedIn.