Winners Celebrate Success at Work Based Learning Awards Ceremony

Over two hundred people across Lincolnshire and Rutland descended on The Lawn in Lincoln last night for the third, annual Lincolnshire and Rutland Work Based Learning Awards hosted by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

Local radio personality, Sean Dunderdale of Lincs FM, played host for the evening which celebrated the outstanding achievements of assiduous and enthusiastic learners, businesses and schools across the region, committed to work based learning. More than 160 applications, spanning twelve different categories, were carefully matched against the award criteria to select the three finalists and one overall winner from each of the categories, all of which were announced in last night’s exciting ceremony.

Guest speakers for the evening, Roger Begy OBE, Chair of LSC East Midlands regional council; Nick Rashley, area director, LSC Lincolnshire and Rutland; Geoff Middleton, chair of the Work Based Academy; Rob Mayall, assistant director of children services, Lincoln County Council and Carol Chambers, director of children and young people’s services, Rutland County Council, presented the successful apprentices and employers with awards to mark their outstanding achievements in, and exceptional contributions to, work based learning.

Nick Rashley, area director, LSC Lincolnshire & Rutland commented: “We have seen the highest number of applications this year and the very fact we are holding these awards for a third consecutive year is testament to the growth of work based learning in the region. In the current economic climate, it’s more important than ever that we recognise and support these talented individuals, and the businesses that invest in their training. Apprenticeships are key not only to the success of local business but also the economic future of the region.”

Winners include:

Winner of the School that has Embraced Work Based Learning Most Effectively Award

Casterton Business and Enterprise College, Stamford provides pupils with the accreditation and competencies to make informed choices at each stage of their education and is committed to extra-curricular opportunities.

Winner of the Young Apprentice of the Year Award

Louise Wood from Grantham is studying for a Young Apprenticeship qualification in Health and Social Care with training provider Grantham College. She works at locally at SureStart Nursery and is currently on track for a distinction.

Winner of the Entry to Employment Learner of the Year Award

Sarah King from Mablethorpe has successfully completed a number of Key Skills qualifications and embarked on work experience placement with a local solicitors firm. She is currently studying towards GCSEs in Physics, Law and English Grimsby Institute of Further Education to help progress in her chosen career of Law.

Winner of the Entry to Employment Personal Achiever of the Year Award

James Lebreton, Market Rasen has gained an NVQ Level 2 in Heritage Studies among other qualifications and is currently studying for a Level 2 Business Administration and ICT qualification at Lincoln College full-time.

Winner of the Apprentice of the Year Award – Apprenticeship

Rebecca Burgess from Lincoln works for P W & S Burgess, a local Agricultural Enterprise, Livestock and Farm Shop. She is studying for an Apprenticeship in Agricultural Crops which so far has equipped her with considerable expertise in her work.

Winner of Apprentice of the Year Award – Advanced Apprenticeship

Laura Pell from Spalding has successfully completed an Apprenticeship in Electro-technical Technology. She is employed by Princebuild Ltd, a construction company in Spalding and is working towards an Advanced Apprenticeship which she is due to complete later this year.

Winner of Apprentice Personal Achiever of the Year Award – 16-18 years old

Jolene Carter from Spalding has overcome a number of obstacles to achieve her ambitions. She works locally at Honeypot Day Nursery and Pre-school whilst undertaking her advanced Apprenticeship in Children’s Care and Learning Development which she is expecting to complete later this year.

Winner of Apprentice Personal Achiever of the Year Award – Adult

Collette Steadman, Boston gained employment as a Learning Advisor for AAT Apprentices after completing an NVQ Level two in the same subject. She is training towards her Level 3 qualification and once she completes the course in August this year, is looking to progress to Level 4.

Winner of Employer of the Year Award – Entry to Employment

Ivor John Hallam Motor Engineering in Lincoln works with training providers across four schools to offer E2E learners work placement opportunities.

Winner of Employer of the Year Award – Young Apprenticeship

BGB Innovation (Engineering) Ltd, Grantham had encountered difficulty sourcing and employing skilled individuals, however, it now fully subscribes to the recruitment and training of young people as an ongoing process and is currently training eight young apprentices

Winner of Small Employer of the Year Award – Apprenticeship

GPC Industries Ltd, Spilsby works closely with ISIS Training to deliver high quality training to its learners. GPC Industries currently has 21 employees, of which five are apprentices. Winner of Large Employer of the Year Award – Apprenticeship Gelder Group, Lincoln currently employs 21 apprentices across all disciplines of construction and works in partnership with local schools and colleges to deliver training. The company has recently invested over half a million pounds in a new training academy.