Helen Wright, of Delamore Young Plants, was described as a “tremendous asset” when she was named the 2013 Apprentice of the Year.
Helen joined Delamore having been made redundant by a large multinational insurance company where she was a claims administrator.
Through her enjoyment of gardening and local agricultural connections, Helen undertook initially an RHS course before deciding to join the Delamore apprenticeship scheme.
Helen has shown incredible enthusiasm, diligence and attention to detail during the process and appears to be thoroughly enjoying her work.
The judges said: “Any one of the three shortlisted entrants would have been a worthy winner and each of them (along with their sponsors) deserves recognition for that.
“Helen is a very enthusiastic person relishing the opportunities presented to her for learning but also prepared to take on and successfully manage new responsibilities.
“She is, and undoubtedly will be for a long time, a tremendous asset for the company.”
The award is sponsored by Fenland District Council in memory of Craig Bird, of March, an apprentice at Metalcraft in Chatteris, who was killed in a road collision three years ago.
Highly commended
Sophie Richardson - Georges March
Sophie began working at Georges as a ‘Saturday girl’ in the coffee tavern. After completing her GCSEs she began A-levels but decided that her talents lay elsewhere, so began an apprenticeship at Georges.
Sophie has developed her confidence in management skills - she is guiding two younger apprentices through a staff training schedule for cooking and presentation.
Ben Pooley - Foster Property Maintenance
Ben has been with Foster Property Maintenance for five years, which incorporates a plumbing and gas apprenticeship.
As well as being extremely quick to learn complex gas jobs, he also has the ability to knuckle down and work hard – even offering to assist his colleagues if he finishes his own workload.
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