The Learning and Skills Council is giving a final call to automotive employers and apprentices to enter the national Apprenticeship Awards 2007 - entries close next Friday. There are 15,000 apprentices in the industry: the Awards recognise employers for their training programmes and apprentices for their personal achievements.
According to Stephen Gardner,Director of Apprenticeshipsat theLearning and Skills Council,“The national Apprenticeship Awards provide a great opportunity to honour UK businesses for the outstanding contribution they are making to raise skills levels in this country and showcase apprentices who are contributing directly to their employers’ success.
“The calibre of entrants last year, 1,100 in total, reinforces the fact that Apprenticeships are now viewed as the best route to a successful career by many young people and employers alike."
Skills Minister Phil Hope adds:"Apprenticeships have never been higher up the Government's agenda. The Leitch Review of Skills has set us the challenging ambition to almost double the number
of UK apprentices to 500,000 by 2020. Key to achieving this is getting over the message to learners and employers alike that apprenticeships are a high quality route to a successful career."
The deadline for entries is Friday 23rd February 2007.
Employers can enter one of
four categories depending on their company size; Micro (1-9 employees), Small (10-49 employees), Medium (50-249 employees) and Large (250+ employees). They are assessed on a number of criteria including implementation of the Apprenticeship programme, clear demonstration of the way Apprenticeships have benefited their business and the level of support provided to their apprentices.
There are three apprentice categories, to recognise those whose contribution to the workplace has exceeded their employer’s expectations by producing exceptional and measurable benefits; Apprentice of the Year, Advanced Apprentice of the Year and Young Apprentice of the Year. A Personal Achievement award will also be awarded to an apprentice who has successfully overcome a barrier or obstacle – personally or in the workplace – to achieve their goals and exceed expectations.
