Swindon College Apprentices and Employees Awards Evening

On Thursday evening, as the top performing college in the South West for providing apprenticeships, Swindon College’s annual Apprenticeship Awards recognised apprentices and employers for their outstanding achievements.

A group of eighteen outstanding apprentices received prizes in a range of categories, highlighting the varied Apprenticeships available across the College. They included Accounting, Business Administration, Customer Service, Construction Skills, Early Years, Engineering, Electrical, Hairdressing, Hospitality and Professional Cookery, IT, Motor Vehicle, plumbing, Teaching Assistants, Team Leading and Manufacturing.

The Apprentices were nominated by their employers and tutors for their hard work and determination to complete their training with aspirations to gain full time employment within their chosen industry.

The event was an evening of celebration, attended by apprentices’ friends and family, senior college staff and local dignitaries, as well as the Mayor of Swindon Councillor Andrew Bennet and Conservative MP Robert Buckland who is a very supportive advocate of the apprenticeship scheme.

Speaking to the guests Robert said: “It has been an inspirational evening hearing all the testimonials from the employers to their apprentices. As well as building their lifelong experiences the apprentices are growing as individuals within the working environment.

It’s great to see Swindon College tailoring apprenticeships with local employers where they match students to make a great working partnership. The award winners are proof that success comes from hard work, determination and drive”.

Amongst the award winners of the evening was Josh Hilton, Hairdressing Apprentice of the Year. Josh successfully completed his Level 3 Apprenticeship in Hairdressing and continues to work with his employer Sarah Smart at Smart Cutz, Wootton Bassett.

Josh explained: “I decided to pick an apprenticeship as I wanted to learn a practical trade and I have always been quite creative. I knew that I would be able to earn a wage whilst I was learning new skills and building up clients.”

Also receiving an award was Ellie Waites who has successfully completed her Business Administration apprenticeship at Isambard Community School, and has secured a maternity cover role as the Head’s PA.

Ellie said: “I have been given a lot of responsibility within my apprenticeship and I always have the opportunity to ask questions and I feel very supported by the staff at Isambard. After the first couple of weeks, I was given new challenges to expand my work experience. The apprenticeship has allowed me to find out my key strengths and to develop new skills”.

Swindon College continues to offer apprenticeships in almost 30 course across Level 2 and 3, the college provides excellent industry standard facilities along with professional and supportive staff to guide apprentices through every aspect of their programme.

For more information about Apprenticeships and training for businesses, please visit www.swindon.ac.uk, call (01793) 498208 or email [email protected].