South West represented by 20 companies and apprentices at The National Apprenticeship Awards 2013

Twenty companies and apprentices will represent the wealth of Apprenticeship talent across the South West after being short-listed for the regional heat of the prestigious National Apprenticeship Awards 2013.

Exeter’s own Donna Yarwood is just one of the apprentices taking part. She has been shortlisted for Higher Apprentice of the Year.

The awards, which are now in their 10th year, celebrate the work of the country’s most talented apprentices and apprenticeship employers. An awards ceremony is to be held at the Holiday Inn in Taunton on the 18th September to announce the winners.

Mark Howard, Southern Divisional Area Director for the National Apprenticeship Service said:

“Apprenticeships are a great way for young people to earn while they learn in a real job, gaining a real qualification and rewarding career opportunities. Hiring apprentices is a proven way of attracting new talent and developing a motivated, skilled and diverse workforce. All of the South West award finalists demonstrate these benefits in action.''

“The National Apprenticeship Awards showcase excellence and offer a fantastic platform for apprentices and employers in our region to share centre stage and gain the recognition they richly deserve for encouraging ambition and enterprise, creating opportunities and supporting development.”

Apprentices that have successfully reached the regional final include; Peter Williams, who is employed by Agusta Westland, Yeovil, and completing an Apprenticeship in Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies. He is competing in the Advanced Level Apprentice of the Year. Exeter apprentice Donna Yarwood, who is employed by Puffins of Exeter and completing an Apprenticeship in Business Administration and Law is contesting the Higher Apprentice of the Year.

Mark Howard, added:

“We always receive entries of outstanding calibre in our region, and this year has been no exception. I would like to congratulate all the employers and apprentices on being short-listed for these prestigious awards, and wish them the very best of luck.”

This year The National Apprenticeship Awards were inundated with high quality entrants. The organisation received a staggering 1,600 applications.

All regional winners will proceed to a final nation judging stage, where the highest scoring employer entries will be given the additional honour of featuring in the acclaimed Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list, which will be published by the National Apprenticeship Service in partnership with City & Guilds.

A ceremony at The Skills Show, at the NEC in Birmingham will take place on the 14th November to announce the national award winners. The Skills Show, which has City & Guilds and the Edge Foundation as its premier sponsors, is the UK’s largest skills and careers event and is a unique annual celebration with exciting opportunities in further education, skills and Apprenticeships.

Visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk or call 08000 150 600 to find out more about Apprenticeships.

For more information about The Skills Show go to www.theskillsshow.com