Learning and Skills Council announces winners of National

11 July 2008

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The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) today announces the winners of the national Apprenticeship Awards 2008. Now in their fifth year, the Awards are designed to recognise the hard work and commitment of people who are currently undertaking, or who have recently completed, an Apprenticeship, as well as the employers who are successfully using Apprenticeships to improve business performance.

For the first time since the celebration began, 75 per cent of the apprentice winners are women, as Claire Harrison, Rachael Hoyle and Victoria Snook are recognised, along with Luke Power, as winners in their respective categories this year.

Today's results are all the more surprising as two of the young women who have received the awards also work in sectors that are traditionally dominated by men: aerospace engineering and pharmaceuticals.

The four apprentice award categories seek to celebrate apprentices' commitment to developing their skills and experience through Apprenticeships. Apprentices were judged on criteria that include their commitment to training, the range and diversity of their experience in their chosen field, their achievements within the workplace and demonstration of the way Apprenticeships have benefited their lives.

This year's Apprenticeship Awards attracted a record number of entries, with almost 1,400 individuals and companies all over England vying to be named Apprentice or Employer of the Year at tonight's ceremony. Representatives from the various employers joined the rest of the finalists at the Royal Horticultural Hall in Central London, where TV star Amanda Holden presented the Awards (Thursday 10 July).

Amanda Holden says: "I'm so happy to have been involved in this year's national Apprenticeship Awards. I believe that Apprenticeships can help to unlock England's talent and, having judged various people's 'talent' for a while now, I can say I'm truly honoured to have been part of this particular ceremony.

"On a personal level, I'm also extremely proud to see three young, independent women doing so well in their respective fields; they really have shown that it's not always a man's world out there! I just hope that everyone sees tonight's winners as shining examples of how young people can have a positive influence on this country."

John Denham MP, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, says: "For many people, skills and learning are the key to improving their lives - whether getting into and on at work, improving their job prospects or simply putting more money into their pockets.

"Apprenticeships have been 'key' in making that happen over recent years, but we need to go even further. Our aim must be to raise skill levels and in turn boost the job prospects of people in the UK and Apprenticeships are vital if we are to give everyone the skills they need to succeed in the global economy."

Stephen Gardner, Director of Apprenticeships, Learning and Skills Council says: "Once again it is so inspiring to witness the dedication, drive and enthusiasm of these apprentices - not only our winners, whom we recognise tonight, but all apprentices around the country who are pursuing their chosen careers.

"It is clear that to remain competitive, the UK needs to ensure more people are learning useful skills and Apprenticeships have shown themselves to be key in making that happen, while giving people and businesses real opportunities to succeed. Thanks to dynamic young people, enlightened employers and a supportive delivery system, Apprenticeships have a really bright future. The Apprenticeship programme makes a real difference to all concerned and I'm delighted to see such great examples at the Awards tonight."

Rachael Hoyle, who clinched her Advanced Apprentice of the Year title following her Advanced Apprenticeship in Aerospace Engineering, says her Apprenticeship helped solidify her career in an industry traditionally dominated by men.

Rachael says: "If I'm honest, I didn't always want to be an engineer or work with aircrafts, and as my schooling drew to a close, I felt so unsure of what the future held. But when I looked into Apprenticeships alongside other possible courses, Apprenticeships really appealed to me as it would mean beginning a career while learning from people who are experts in their own right. I felt I could get involved in real work while applying my favourite subjects, like physics and maths, and continuing to learn."

The National Apprentice Award 2008 winners are as follows:

Young Apprentice of the Year: Luke Power, Sports Management, London

Highly Commended: Rachel Freestone, Aerospace and Engineering, Coventry, West Midlands

Highly Commended: Josh Pickering, Retail, Dorset, South West

Apprentice of the Year: Claire Harrison, Pharmaceuticals, Skipton, Yorkshire & Humberside

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