High performing apprentices from the College of West Anglia (CWA) were celebrated for their ambitious drive and impressive talent at an awards ceremony.
The awards, held at King’s Lynn Town Hall on Monday March 14, were compered by Mark Reavell, executive director of partnerships at CWA.
A light canapé buffet - provided by CWA catering students - was served to guests on arrival and during the interval.
In total 16 apprentices – a winner from each industry sector – received awards presented by Principal David Pomfret.
He said: “To mark apprenticeship week, I have experienced the work of an apprentice first-hand, as I went back to the floor as a plumbing apprentice.
“Our apprentices are really valued in the workplace and I am proud to be celebrating the work they do at this event.”
Guest speaker Paul Davis, creative director of Top to Toe Hairdressing and Beauty Salon in Wisbech, spoke of how apprenticeships have helped his business to thrive.
John Clarke presented two awards – the Kevin Clarke Memorial Trophy for year one and year two – in memory of his son Kevin, a CWA electrical apprentice who died in a car accident aged 19, in 1984.
Mr Clarke said: “My family and I always like to support the apprentices and both of the Kevin Clarke memorial trophy winners were very nice, deserving lads.”
Joe Yaxley, Year 1 Kevin Clarke Memorial Trophy winner, said: “I was very pleased to be nominated and was not expecting to win. It has been nice to celebrate with my parents and employer, Kevin Doy.”
Jordan Rollins of Rollins Electrical, winner of the CWA Electrotechnical Apprentice of the year 2016 and the Year 2 Kevin Clarke Memorial Trophy, said: “It’s nice to think that all my hard work is paying off. I would definitely recommend an apprenticeship to others as I’ve experienced so much more from learning on the job.”
The winners from the apprenticeship awards will now go forward to be judged and three finalists will then be invited to the college’s annual student awards on June 29 at the King’s Lynn Corn Exchange to find out who will be named as overall ‘Apprentice of the Year’.
Full List of winners:
Shane Denton
Construction Apprentice of the Year 2016
Matthew Reed
Retail Apprentice of the Year 2016
Rebecca Hardy
Information Technology Apprentice of the Year 2016
Jodie Hopkins-Duckhouse
Childcare Apprentice of the Year 2016
Jordan Rollins
Electrotechnical Apprentice of the Year 2016
Jake Seekings
Engineering Apprentice of the Year 2016
Eleanor Johnson
Hairdressing Apprentice of the Year 2016
Harry Barker
Health & Social Care Apprentice of the Year 2016
Blue Revell
Horticulture Apprentice of the Year 2016
Sadie Cooper
Hospitality Apprentice of the Year 2016
Sema Ozbek
Laboratory Technician Apprentice of Year 2016
Matthew Fay
Motor Vehicle Apprentice of the Year 2016
Jack Bliss
Plumbing Apprentice of the Year 2016
Lydia Hickey
Teaching Assistant Apprentice of the Year 2016
Megan Nurse
Business Administration Apprentice of the Year 2016
Joe Yaxley
Kevin Clarke Award 2015/16
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here