Apprentices are stars of show
The winners of the 2021 Bristol and Bath Apprenticeship Awards have been announced at a special event at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol.
The ceremony at the home of Bristol City FC and the Bristol Bears rugby side last Thursday, which celebrated the best and brightest learners in the region and the companies helping them succeed, was hosted by radio presenter Paris Troy.
The winners included individuals and organisations from a wide variety of sectors – from engineering to hospitality – who have managed to succeed despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Yusra Shaeik, a technician with Bristol-based IT services and support business Dial A Geek, was named Outstanding Apprentice of the Year in the Technology, Digital and Creative Sector category, as well as the overall Bristol and Bath Apprentice of the Year.
Utilities firm Wessex Water was named Large Employer of the Year (250 employees and over) while Wick-based accountancy firm FD Works won the prize for Smallmedium Employer of the Year (less than 250 employees).
Bristol-based Professional Apprenticeships was crowned Training Provider of the Year.
An award was also presented on the night to Bristol City Council’s Chris Mitchell for outstanding contribution to apprenticeships in Bristol and Bath.
Wessex Water, which had five apprentices shortlisted for an award, posted on social media after the event that it was “honoured” to be named Large Employer of the Year.
Professional Apprenticeship tweeted that its whole team “couldn’t feel prouder” of being recognised as Training Provider of the Year.
The winners of the 2021 Bristol and Bath Apprenticeship Awards
Bristol and Bath Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by SGS College Yusra Shaeik, Dial A Geek Outstanding Contribution To Apprenticeships In Bristol and Bath, sponsored by GKN Aerospace
Chris Mitchell, Bristol City Council Large Employer of the Year (250 +), sponsored by City of Bristol College Wessex Water
Small-medium Employer of the Year (1-249), sponsored by Caspian Networks
FD Works
Bristol and Bath Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year, sponsored by Bristollive and Bathlive Professional Apprenticeships Ltd Outstanding Apprentice of the Year – Young Recruit, sponsored by Wessex Water Ollie Sheppard, Wessex Searches Outstanding Apprentice of the Year – Technology, Digital and Creative Sector, sponsored by Professional Apprenticeships
Yusra Shaeik, Dial A Geek Outstanding Apprentice of the Year – Hospitality, Travel and Customer Service, sponsored By Strode College Thomas Bailey, The Swan Hotel Outstanding Apprentice of the Year – Health, Wellbeing, Care and Education, sponsored by Businesslive Katie Morris, Co-op Funeral Care Outstanding Apprentice of the Year – Construction, sponsored by Hinkley Point C Julian Rinsche, Complete Carpentry Contractors Ltd
Outstanding Apprentice of the Year – Business, Administrative and Financial Services, sponsored by Weston College
Phyllis Barter, 299 Lighting Outstanding Apprentice of the Year – Public Services, sponsored by Bath College
Scott Carpenter, Hindhayes Infant School
Outstanding Apprentice of the Year – Engineering, Manufacturing, Energy and Electrical, sponsored by Hunter Selection
Tara Biggs, GKN Aerospace