Apprentices honoured at annual awards

Kieran Ward, aged 19, from Hull has won the Outstanding Contribution Award (Large Employer) at East Riding College’s annual apprenticeship awards ceremony. Kieran works as a compliance and engagement officer at Humberside Police, in the Safer Roads Humber team in Beverley. Kieran was nominated by his employer, for being an outstanding apprentice. Ruth Gore of Safer Roads Humber said, “Kieran is a fantastic role model to young people when it comes to responsible driving, which enforces our road safety messages through peer education. He has quickly understood the main road safety messages we deliver and is confident enough to adapt these messages to be relevant to each target audience. He is extremely customer focused and will be a big asset to the road safety partnership.”

Kieran said, “Being nominated for the award made me feel really good, I appreciate it a lot, it shows all the work I am doing is appreciated and recognised. The apprenticeship is giving me different prospects because of the experience I’ve picked up, hopefully I’ll either keep on with this job full-time once I’ve finished the apprenticeship or be going into the police.”

The apprenticeship awards ceremony was held during National Apprenticeship Week, to celebrate the contribution that apprentices make to the region’s businesses and to recognise the employers that are supporting them. The prestigious event, held at Beverley Racecourse, saw over 120 guests celebrate the hard work and dedication of the apprentices and their employers.

Lauryn Edgington, aged 20 from Beverley won the Outstanding Contribution Award (Small Employer) at the event, after being nominated by her employer, Beverley-based Bostonair Group. Hardworking Lauryn has just finished her business administration apprenticeship and joined the company as a quality administrator. Her employer nominated her for her can-do attitude, passion and drive. Elizabeth Truby of Bostonair Group said, “Lauryn has a great work ethic, she has had a positive impact on the business from the start, taking other new starters under her wing and using her initiative to make things more efficient. She was offered a permanent role within two months of joining us, as she was so efficient and such an asset to the team.”

Lauryn said, “When I found out I had won the award, I was elated. Being an apprentice has honestly been a breath of fresh air. Everybody has helped me progress in my training, it’s been great. I was already offered a full time position, before I even completed my apprenticeship fully. It’s such a great way to get into a career path and just know that you’re going to be able to excel.”

Ideal Building Systems based in Carnaby won training champion of the year, in recognition of their contribution and commitment to training their workforce and developing their apprentices.