Record number of Finalists confirmed for Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards

Over 35 finalists have been announced across the 10 categories, the highest ever since the awards began 10 years ago.

This year also marked the highest number of entries ever received for the Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards.

The finalists signify the great and the good of all things apprenticeships in the county, including apprentices, employers, training providers, schools and ambassadors. 

2024 marks the 10 year anniversary of the Worcestershire Apprenticeships programme. Launched in 2014 , the programme brought all partners together to simplify the apprenticeship offer across the county and respond to the needs of local employers bringing forward greater opportunity for residents. The brand has evolved over a decade and is recognised nationally as a best practice example in this space.

The 2024 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards will again take place at the West Midland Safari Park, this year on Thursday 28th November and will celebrate the most successful apprentices, employers, schools, and training providers across 10 categories over the last year with over 300 attendees.

Attendees this year will be treated to an evening with entrepreneur, marketing expert, author and popular radio host, Ed James, who will be the host for the annual awards evening. 

The 2024 award categories are:

Apprentice Awards

• Intermediate Level Apprentice of the Year
• Advanced Level Apprentice of the Year 
• Higher Level Apprentice of the Year 
• Degree Level Apprentice of the Year 

Employer Awards

• Small Apprenticeship Employer of the Year
• Medium Apprenticeship Employer of the Year 
• Large Apprenticeship Employer of the Year 

Support Awards

• School of the Year
• Training Provider of the Year
• Apprentice Ambassador of the Year

The popular celebration event will culminate in the two illustrious overall awards of ‘Worcestershire Apprenticeship Employer of the Year’ and ‘Worcestershire Apprentice of the Year’.

Councillor Adam Kent, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Economy and Skills at Worcestershire County Council, said: “I couldn’t be more thrilled to see such a diverse and talented group of finalists for the 2024 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards!
“Their hard work, passion, and commitment are truly inspiring, and it’s this kind of dedication that makes our county a powerhouse for skills and innovation. We’re excited to celebrate these incredible achievements in November and showcase the best of Worcestershire’s apprenticeship talent.

“Congratulations to all the finalists—you’ve already made us proud, and we wish you the very best for the big night ahead!” 

Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “I am delighted that we have a record number of finalists for this year’s Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards. I would like to congratulate each finalist for their tremendous achievements and dedication.

“As we celebrate 10 years of the Worcestershire Apprenticeships programme, the growth of apprenticeships in the county has been made possible by the hard work and commitment of everyone involved in supporting apprenticeships.” 

The finalists for the 2024 Worcestershire Apprenticeships are:

Apprentice Awards

• Intermediate Level Apprentice of the Year 
• Amber Barbour – Platform Housing Group
• Maddie Mae Smith – Compco Fire Systems
• Tolly Wilson – Theataccounts Limited

Advanced Level Apprentice of the Year

• Ashlee Boyne – Sanctuary
• Edward McCullough – Roxel Group
• Emilia Hughes – Yamazaki Mazak UK
• Maisy Gillard – Hewett Recruitment

Higher Level Apprentice of the Year

• Georgina Carroll – Sanctuary 
• Joshua Garland – Dolphin Computers 
• Sophie Edwards – Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

Degree Level Apprentice of the Year

• Christine Cooper – Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust
• Dillon Ford – Roxel Group
• Ryan Coles – GLP Training
• Shalini Lokesh Gowda – Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust

Employer Awards

Small Apprenticeship Employer of the Year

• Blackwell Adventure
• Britannic Place Financial Management 
• Citizen Communication 
• Olpro

Medium Apprenticeship Employer of the Year 

• Ballards LLP 
• Compco Fire Systems 
• Ormerod Rutter Chartered Accountants

Large Apprenticeship Employer of the Year

• DRPG
• Phosters FM
• Roxel Group
• Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd

Support Awards

• School of the Year 
• The Bridge School Malvern
• Tudor Grange Academy Worcester
• Wolverley CE Secondary School & Sixth Form

Training Provider of the Year 

• GLP Training
• Heart of Worcestershire College
• Herefordshire & Worcestershire Group Training Association
• Kidderminster College
• The Development Manager (TDM)
• University of Worcester

Apprentice Champion of the Year 

• Katie Davies – Sanctuary 
• Maisy Gillard – Hewett Recruitment
• Nicola Albutt – Sanctuary

To find out more about the Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards, please visit the Worcestershire Apprenticeships website.

Join and follow the conversation around the Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards on social media by using the hashtag #WorcsApprentice.