THE best apprentices, schools, careers leads, training providers and employers have been celebrated as the finalists are revealed in the Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards 2019.

28 of the county’s finest have been named as finalists for the Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards 2019.

The finalists will join hundreds of businesses and guests at the awards finals from 6:30pm on Thursday, November 14 at the Tree Tops Pavilion, West Midland Safari Park, where the winners of each category will be announced.

Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “I would like to congratulate all those who have been named as finalists at this year’s Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards.

“Each year we see the very best of the county’s high-quality Apprenticeships recognised for their fantastic achievements, and I know that these young apprentices can go on to be the business leaders of the future.

“I’m sure that this year will be another popular reflection of our county’s dedicated schools, businesses and training providers.”

READ MORE: Worcestershire Careers Hub shortlisted for award

The Awards’ judges said the shortlist reflects ‘the increasing popularity of apprenticeships as the best route to earn as you learn’. Apprentices can earn between £77,000 to £117,000 more than those with similar qualifications and, with A-Level results and GCSE results recently published, the judges are expecting to see many more young people select apprenticeships as their preferred option.

The black-tie ceremony will be presented by the former British Paralympic swimmer and gold medallist, Marc Woods, who is set to welcome an audience of 350 people to the event.

The ceremony will recognise outstanding achievement in the two overall awards of Apprenticeship Employer of the Year, which is sponsored by Southco Manufacturing and Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd.

Cllr Marcus Hart, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Education and Skills at Worcestershire County Council, added: “Congratulations to everyone who has been shortlisted for this year’s awards ceremony. Apprenticeships continue to have a huge impact in Worcestershire by helping apprentices and their employers to grow and achieve their ambitions.”

Here is the full list of finalists:

School of the Year – sponsored by Worcestershire Children First

• Pershore High School – Pershore

• King Charles High School – Kidderminster

Intermediate Level Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by The Community Housing Group

• Rachel Layton – Give As You Live – Evesham

• Laura Barrett – Amada – Kidderminster

• Abigail Bradley – Sanctuary – Worcester

Advanced Level Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by OGL Computers Ltd

• Bethany Addis – Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd – Worcester

• Katie Turner – Amada – Kidderminster

• Joe Hosie – Tim Whittington Farriery – Inkberrow

Higher Level Apprentice of the Year – sponsored by University of Worcester

• Thomas Smith – DRPG – Hartlebury

• Georgia Williams – Fresh Nous – Worcester

• Aidan Horton – Malvern Panalytical – Malvern

Small Apprenticeship Employer of the Year – sponsored by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

• Give As You Live – Evesham

• The Priory Forge – Inkberrow

• Payara - Malvern

Medium Apprenticeship Employer of the Year

• Phosters (FM) Ltd – Kidderminster

• SJL Insurance Services – Worcester

• Heller Machine Tools - Redditch

Large Apprenticeship Employer of the Year – sponsored by Amada UK Ltd

• Open GI – Worcester

• Southco Manufacturing UK – Worcester

• Sanctuary Housing - Worcester

Careers Lead of the Year – supported by The Careers and Enterprise Company

• Claire Watson – Dyson Perrins - Malvern

• Jane Tozer – Prince Henry’s School - Evesham

• Louise Laxton – Trinity High School - Redditch

Apprenticeship Champion of the Year – sponsored by Fusion – Building Better Opportunities

• Ben Hyde – Sanctuary Group – Worcester

• Alison Young – Advance Trust – Evesham

Training Provider of the Year – sponsored by Sanctuary Group

• WGTA – Worcester

• TDM – Worcester

• LMPQ – Worcester

Worcestershire Apprentice of the Year sponsored by Southco Manufacturing

The Apprentice of the Year will be decided from winners of other awards.

Worcestershire Apprenticeship Employer of the Year sponsored by Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd

The Apprenticeship Employer of the Year will be decided from winners of other awards.