PETA apprentice achieves runner-up at GTA England Apprentice Awards

PETA Management Apprentice Jess Goodyear has been awarded runner-up in the Business Services category of the GTA England Apprentice Awards, which took place at the MTC in Coventry on Thursday 7 February.

The awards showcased the best in class from the 24,000 employers and 12,500 apprentices in the network. Members, renowned for high levels of employer responsiveness and quality, submitted applications, with the finalists being selected by a panel of independent judges.

The awards were presented by Sir Gerry Berragan, CEO of the Institute for Apprenticeships. There were three categories of award: Business Services, Engineering Construction and Best Newcomer Engineering/Construction.

Jess, who is employed by Linet UK, a leading global supplier of hospital beds, beat off some tough competition to be shortlisted as a finalist and even more to be named as runner-up.

Jess’s success builds on that of last year, when PETA’s Business Apprentice, Gemma Leader, won the award. Jess was also a finalist and category winner in PETA’s local awards ceremony for the Management Category of the Alex Zemenides PETA Apprentice Award 2018.

Jess said: “I’m overwhelmed to be awarded this and so excited for my future. I’m extremely grateful for the opportunities I’ve been given and for the support from my employer and PETA. I think an apprenticeship is a great alternative to university as you gain qualifications as well as hands-on training. I enjoyed it 100% – it’s a brilliant way to begin your career.”

PETA CEO Huw Chapman said: “Being part of GTA England and seeing our apprentices selected as finalists is a proud moment for PETA, myself and all my colleagues. Apprenticeships are integral to business performance and growth and offer a quality pathway to building business skills for the future. At PETA we strive to support apprentices to secure qualifications and be great at work. This award is a great reflection on the PETA colleagues who supported Jess on her apprenticeship pathway.”

GTA England was established in 2009 to benefit member GTAs (Group Training Associations) by raising their profiles, working successfully with government, to appeal to funding organisations and improve and standardise the quality of GTAs.

PETA Training and Consultancy Services is based in Cosham, Portsmouth and will celebrate its 50^th anniversary in 2020. PETA offers almost 200 corporate courses in areas such as ICT, health and safety, leadership and management, personal development, HR, customer service and engineering skills.