A total of 340 people saw the winners announced at this year’s Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards 2018 ceremony, on Thursday 15 November 2018.

25 of the county’s best apprentices, apprenticeship employers, schools and training providers were celebrated in a total of 12 categories at the Treetops Pavilion, West Midland Safari Park. The winners of the awards categories were presented with personalised crystal glass panel trophies, which were sponsored by local business, Fortis Living.

The audience were treated to a typically lively and entertaining ceremony thanks to the popular event host – BAFTA nominated TV presenter, Angellica Bell.

The event ended with the announcement of the winners of the two overall awards. Buzz Electrical were named as the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Employer of the Year, sponsored by Yamazaki Mazak, and Bethany Clayton from Morgan Advanced Materials won the Worcestershire Apprentice of the Year award, sponsored by Worcester Bosch.

The event was organised by Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and Worcestershire County Council, who launched the Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards in 2014.

Angellica Bell, BAFTA-nominated TV presenter and host of the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards 2018, said: “It was an amazing experience to be able to host the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards 2018 and my congratulations go to all finalists and winners.

“It was a privilege to have been involved in such an inspiring event and to celebrate the success of some incredibly talented apprentices, employers, schools and training providers. I think that the event clearly showed how Worcestershire is very supportive of apprenticeships and the positive impact they have for us all.”

Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “My congratulations go to all of the finalists for the Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards. It was great to see how apprenticeships have been so successful for so many in the county.

Buzz Electrical win Worcestershire Apprenticeship Employer of the Year 2018

“It’s clear that there is a lot of support for apprenticeships in Worcestershire and I would encourage all businesses that are looking to employ an apprentice to visit the Worcestershire Apprenticeships website, www.worcsapprenticeships.org.uk”

Cllr Marcus Hart, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Education and Skills at Worcestershire County Council, added: “Congratulations to all 25 of this year’s finalists for the Apprenticeship Awards, it was great to see their hard work celebrated. Our thanks go to the sponsors of this year’s awards, which continues to draw a huge amount of support from the local and regional business community.”

For further information on the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards 2018, visit the Worcestershire Apprenticeships website www.worcsapprenticeships.org.uk or use the hashtag #WorcsApprentice on Twitter.

Full list of winners:

School of the Year – supported by The Careers & Enterprise Company

Dyson Perrins C of E Academy (Malvern)

Training Provider of the Year – sponsored by Sanctuary Group

WCG Pershore (Pershore)

Apprenticeship Ambassador of the Year – sponsored by West Midlands Apprenticeship Ambassador Network

Vikki Greenfield (Worcester)

Newcomer Apprenticeship Employer of the Year – sponsored by Worcestershire Training Providers Association

Thomas Weston Construction (Kidderminster)

Small Apprenticeship Employer of the year – sponsored by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

Buzz Electrical (Evesham)

Medium Apprenticeship Employer of the year – sponsored by CP Foods UK Ltd

Sencon UK Ltd (Droitwich)

Large Apprenticeship Employer of the year – sponsored by Amada UK Ltd

OGL Computer (Kidderminster)

Intermediate Level Apprentice of the year – sponsored by Vestia Community Trust

Alex McLaughlin – Brockencote Hall (Kidderminster)

Advanced Level Apprentice of the year – sponsored by Southco Manufacturing Ltd

Bethany Clayton – Morgan Advanced Materials (Redditch)

Bethany-Clayton-from-Morgan-Advanced-Materials wins Worcestershire Apprentice of the Year 2018

Higher Level Apprentice of the year – sponsored by University of Worcester

Jamie Andrews – AVL UK Ltd (Kidderminster)

Worcestershire Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by Worcester Bosch Group

Bethany Clayton – Morgan Advanced Materials (Redditch)

Worcestershire Apprenticeship Employer of the Year – sponsored by Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd

Buzz Electrical (Evesham)