Search begins for top apprentice talent in Peterborough

The Peterborough Telegraph wants to shout about the best in on-the-job training, and this year we are running our second Peterborough Telegraph Apprenticeship Awards.

These awards celebrate and recognise the hardworking individuals and organisations involved in apprenticeships, and how they shape our future. As a JPI Media event, our winners will be announced in the Peterborough Telegraph reaching over 65,000 print readers and 180,000 online customers a month. We are now open for entries across a variety of categories, and we are keen to hear from the many businesses and individuals in our region.

Peterborough Telegraph business editor Paul Grinnell said: “It’s great to be able to celebrate the achievements of the best emerging talent across our region.

“The Peterborough Telegraph wants to honour the groundbreaking efforts of the apprenticeship scheme - from the apprentices themselves to the wonderful training providers and employers who support them.”

These 2021 awards are being supported by headline sponsor Openreach, associate sponsor BGL, main higher education sponsor Anglia Ruskin University Peterborough and category sponsor Princebuild along with our event supporters, Opportunity Peterborough and The Skills Service. Openreach commented: “We are proud to be headline sponsor of the second Peterborough Apprenticeship Awards.

“Peterborough is home to one of our largest training facilities – on Saville Road – where, each year, around 2,000 of our engineers learn new skills. The site is there to help them get to grips with the technology behind the UK’s largest telephone and broadband network.

“Openreach connects everything from homes and schools to businesses and government departments. There’s even a pretend indoor street, where engineers carry out some of their training, in an environment that’s as close to reality as possible. The training centre is invaluable for more than 3,000 Openreach people who live and work across the East of England.”

BGL launched its academy in 2018 and it now joins the biggest and most established apprenticeship programmes in the UK on The Department for Education’s Top 100 Large Apprenticeship Employers list.

Rachael Gillett, Chief People Officer at BGL Group, said: “We’re proud to support these awards. BGL has apprentices across all of its business areas and they have a significant impact as a new source of talent, bringing different insights, diverse views and experience with them.

“Apprenticeships are a key part of our People Strategy, ensuring we’re able to attract and retain talented people to meet the current and future needs of our business, together with providing great career development opportunities for new and existing colleagues. We look forward to hearing more inspirational stories of this year’s nominees doing exceptional things.”

The vice chancellor of ARU, Professor Roderick Watkins, commented: “As one of the leading providers of apprenticeships in the UK, it is a privilege for us to support these awards. We are actively expanding our apprenticeship provision in this area as we prepare for the launch of ARU Peterborough next year, meeting the needs of employers and local people.”

Our winners will be crowned at the Holiday Inn Peterborough in September where guests will enjoy a drinks reception, deluxe two course meal, entertainment, as well the awards

The Peterborough Telegraph would like to invite you to enter your company and apprentices.

Enter the Peterborough Apprenticeship Awards online at: www.peterboroughapprenticeshipawards.co.uk

l “Build the Future” is the theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2021, taking place between February 8 and 14, aiming to encourage everyone to consider how apprenticeships help individuals to build the skills and knowledge required for a rewarding career.

The 14th annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships, taking place across England, will showcase the impact apprenticeships can have on communities, local businesses and regional economies and how they all benefit from the impact of apprenticeships.

As a result of the pandemic and many individuals relying on technology and virtual meetings more than ever, National Apprenticeship Week 2021 will be different, but just as exciting. NAW2021 will celebrate the motivating stories of how apprentices have helped business adapt and build during a difficult year.

Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills, Gillian Keegan said: “Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to learn while you earn, opening up new and exciting career paths that can transform lives. It’s been a tough year for everyone, but we want the theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2021 to be a springboard to look ahead to how apprenticeships can futureproof workforces and boost careers.

“The week is a great opportunity to highlight the huge range of apprenticeships on offer – from space engineer to Registered Nurse. There are currently around 7,000 apprenticeship opportunities available on the Find An Apprenticeship website which will benefit individuals, businesses and local communities.”

To support National Apprenticeship Week 2021, individuals, employers, training providers and communities are being encouraged to get involved, to celebrate apprenticeships and how they:

l TRAIN apprentices, and future proof their workforce and careers though apprenticeships;

l RETAIN apprentices, gaining the skills and knowledge needed by the business, and seeing apprentices thrive, whilst having impact;

l ACHIEVE a real return on investment from apprentices; realising the business benefits of apprenticeships, with apprentices progressing in theirchosen careers.

Peter Mucklow, director, Apprenticeships, Education and Skills Funding Agency said: “There is no doubt that National Apprenticeship Week 2021 will be different this year. We are however continuing to ask employers to encourage everyone to consider how apprenticeships can help build organisations for years to come; whilst showing the clear return on investment realised when apprentices are brought into the business. Employers are helping the nation to #BuildTheFuture through apprenticeships.

“The diversity of career options and industries available now, through apprenticeships, is outstanding. We want all current apprentices from all sectors to get behind the week and to showcase the positive impact of apprenticeships, on careers, families and communities.”

l To find out more about apprenticeships, visit: www.apprenticehips.gov.uk

l Entries are open now. Deadline for entries is Monday, June 30

If you or your company are interested in becoming involved in these prestigious awards,

Contact: Group director, events, Richard Thompson on 07385 348816

RELATED:

The PT Apprenticeship Awards and criteria... and how you can get involved