Awards celebrate best of the region’s apprentices
THE winners of the 2022 Bristol and Bath Apprenticeship Awards have been announced at a special event at Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol.
Tuesday’s ceremony celebrated the best and brightest learners in the region and the companies helping them succeed.
The event was hosted by radio presenter Paris Troy. Winners included individuals and organisations from a wide variety of sectors – from construction to hospitality – who have managed to succeed despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Ben Townsend, a licensing assistant at Bristol-based Aardman Animations – the studio behind Oscarwinning characters Wallace and Gromit – was named Outstanding Apprentice of the Year for business, administrative and financial services, as well as the overall Bristol and Bath Apprentice of the Year.
Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust was named Large Employer of the Year (250 employees and over) while building engineering firm Intoheat won the prize for Small-Medium Employer of the Year (less than 250 employees).
Weston College was crowned Training Provider of the Year.
An award was also presented on the night to Junior Saunders, a consultant at Western Training Provider
Network – a not-for-profit membership organisation of training providers and colleges in the West Country.
Mr Saunders was recognised for making an outstanding contribution to apprenticeships in the area.
The winners were:
■ BristolLive & BathLive Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by NAS Events – Ben Townsend, Aardman Animations.
■ Outstanding
Contribution
To
Apprenticeships In Bristol and Bath, sponsored by GKN Aerospace – Junior Saunders, Western Training Provider Network.
■ Large Employer of the Year (250 +), Sponsored by Professional Apprenticeships – Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust.
■ Small-Medium Employer of the Year (1-249), sponsored by MBDA Systems – Intoheat Ltd.
■ Bristol and Bath Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year, sponsored by Hinkley Point C – Weston College.
■ Outstanding Apprentice of the Year – Young Recruit, sponsored by Wessex Water – Vijay Rajacholan, Wessex Water.
■ Outstanding Apprentice of the Year – Technology, Digital and Creative Sector, sponsored by Strode College – Chloe Athay, Wessex Water.
■ Outstanding Apprentice of the Year – Hospitality, Travel and Customer Service, sponsored by Strode College – Alfie Cole, The Natterjack Inn.
■ Outstanding Apprentice of the Year – Health, Wellbeing and Care, sponsored by Weston College – Keely Marsland, University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust.
■ Outstanding Apprentice of the Year – Construction, sponsored by SGS College – Archie Smart, Stonewood Group.
■ Outstanding Apprentice of the Year – Business, Administrative and Financial Services, sponsored by Bath College – Ben Townsend, Aardman Animations.
■ Outstanding Apprentice of the Year – Public Services and Education – Sommer-Louise Metcalf, Cabot Learning Federation.
■ Outstanding Apprentice of the Year – Engineering, Manufacturing, Energy and Electrical, sponsored by Hunter Selection – Michael Fathers, Intoheat Ltd.