Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group hosts a virtual Apprentice of the Year Awards event for 2021.
On Wednesday 10th February 2021, the Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group (PMG) held our second ever Apprentice of the Year Awards Event which we co-hosted again with Building Plymouth. The PMG nominations were submitted by our member companies with eleven Finalist Apprentices celebrated, two Highly Commended certificates awarded and three Overall Winners presented with the top awards.
This year, due to the pandemic, the awards presentation was held online but we were delighted to see that 100 attendees tuned in to support the nominated Apprentices!
City Leader Cllr Tudor Evans OBE who gave the welcome address and was given the role of announcing the overall winner said, “It has been a pleasure to present Plymouth’s Construction and Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year Awards which has given us a great platform to shine a light on the amazing opportunities that an apprenticeship brings to employers, individuals and the economy. I would like to thank our local employers and training providers who have gone above and beyond to ensure apprentices have been able to continue their studies and on the job learning during this unprecedented time. I would also like to pay tribute to all our apprentices for their dedication and efforts in working so hard to continue advancing with their apprenticeship despite the challenges and impact of the pandemic.”
The first award announced was the PMG Manufacturing Rising Star Apprentice for 2021 which was awarded to Cleopatra Thatcher, a Level 4 Higher Level Mechanical Apprentice at Babcock International, studying with City College Plymouth.
Cleo said of her award: “I am so proud to have represented Babcock International Group at the Plymouth Manufacturers’ Group Apprenticeship Awards and I was completely taken aback to find out I had won the Rising Star Award. A huge thank you to everyone at Babcock who has supported my development. Joining the apprenticeship programme was the best decision I ever made!”
Next up was the Award for the PMG Business Rising Star Apprentice for 2021 which went to Beth Tout from Collins Aerospace, who is undertaking a L4 Commercial Procurement and Supply Apprenticeship with Achievement Training.
Beth said “Choosing to pursue an apprenticeship was one of the best decisions I have made. It’s a great way to learn and achieve a qualification and I’m very grateful to have been recognised with this award.” Donna Aldridge, Training Coordinator at Collins Aerospace, was delighted for Beth and said, “It’s fantastic to see Beth recognised for her hard work. She is an asset to the team.”
Last but by no means least, the Award for the PMG Manufacturing Final Year Apprentice 2021 went to Owen Baylis, who completed a Level 4 Higher Level Apprenticeship with Babcock International and City College Plymouth in September 2020.
Owen, who is now a Junior Technical Engineer at Babcock, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have received the PMG Manufacturing award! For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be an engineer so it means a great deal to me. To anyone thinking of doing an apprenticeship, I could not recommend it enough. It has given me essential practical engineering knowledge and experience, including a number of qualifications that I now use every day.”
Paul Foster, Managing Director Devonport Royal Dockyard commented: “Babcock is proud to continue investing in a wide range of long established apprenticeship programmes. Last year we recruited 145 apprentices, fulfilling a variety of roles, including Welding; Electrical, Mechanical and Marine Pipe Fitting; and Fabricating, with similar numbers being sought for the next cohort of apprentices to start in September of this year.
“Our apprentices work across our business alongside a variety of knowledgeable and passionate employees who pass on their skills and experience to help build the capabilities we need for the future. We’re extremely proud of Cleo and Owen and everyone that has supported them in the business.”
At the awards ceremony, the Finalists and Highly Commended apprentices were all celebrated for their success and commended for the high standards they have shown in their achievements and skills developed during their apprenticeships.The manufacturers are being encouraged to continue on and nominate their apprentices for the National Apprentice of the Year to be held later in the year.
Highly Commended Awards went to the following apprentices:
PMG Manufacturing – Rising Star, Highly Commended awarded to;
Chris Tillyer, BD with Cornwall College, undertaking a L3 Engineering Technician Apprenticeship
and
PMG Business – Rising Star, Highly Commended awarded to;
Connor Ratcliffe, Barden Corporation with City College, undertaking a L2 Business Administration Apprenticeship
Congratulations and well done to all the Finalists and everyone who has supported them!
The full list of Finalists can be viewed below
- Owen Baylis, Babcock International with City College Plymouth , L4 Higher Level Apprenticeship
- Ben Cusack, Princess Yachts with South Devon College, L3 Marine Engineer
- Ethan Dickson, Princess Yachts with Achievement Training, L3 Infrastructure Technician
- Sam Frankham, BD with Cornwall College, L3 Engineering Technician
- Connor Ratcliffe, The Barden Corporation with City College, L2 Business Administration
- Hollie Redwood, Mars Wrigley Confectionery with Cornwall College, L3 Engineering Technician
- Cleopatra Thatcher, Babcock International with City College Plymouth, L4 Higher Level Mechanical Apprentice
- Chris Tillyer, BD with Cornwall College, L3 Engineering Technician
- Beth Tout, Collins Aerospace with Achievement Training, L4 Commercial Procurement & Supply
- Alex Walsh, Princess Yachts with City College Plymouth, L3 Boatbuilder
- Tom Williams, Princess Yachts with South Devon College, L3 Boatbuilder