Entries open as the Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards returns in 2021

Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and Worcestershire County Council have announced that the popular apprenticeship celebration event, the Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards are returning in 2021.

Entries to the awards have now opened with apprentices, employers, schools and training providers in Worcestershire being encouraged to submit their nominations or entries via the online nomination process, before the 16 July deadline.

This year’s Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards will mark the return of the awards after they were cancelled last year due to the safety guidelines introduced because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The team will be following the latest guidance around the safety of events and will decide whether the awards will be physical or virtual later this year. The Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards, in either scenario, will be taking place on 18 November 2021.

Previously the awards have consistently attracted audiences of over 300 people each year.

The 2021 Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards will celebrate the most successful apprentices, employers, schools, and training providers across 12 categories over the last two years.

This year’s awards also sees the addition of a new award category to reflect on the impact of COVID-19. The ‘Apprentice Resilience’ award is for an apprentice who has shown great spirit of character and resilience in the face of 2020, both professionally and personally and rose to the challenges of the pandemic.

Apprentice Awards

• Intermediate Level Apprentice of the Year
• Advanced Level Apprentice of the Year
• Higher Level Apprentice of the Year

Employer Awards

• Small Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (< 50 employees)
• Medium Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (50 – 249 employees)
• Large Apprenticeship Employer of the Year (> 250 employees)

Support Awards

• School of the Year
• Training Provider of the Year
• Apprentice Champion of the Year
• Apprentice Resilience Award

The popular celebration event will culminate in the two illustrious overall awards of ‘Worcestershire Apprenticeship Employer of the Year’, and ‘Worcestershire Apprentice of the Year’.

Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “I am really pleased that we are able to confirm the Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards are returning in 2021. Over the past few years we have seen growing support for the awards from the local community and I am looking forward to celebrating the great work and effort many have made across the county to support apprenticeships.”

Cllr Marcus Hart, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Education and Skills at Worcestershire County Council, added: “The return of the Worcestershire Apprenticeships Awards is fantastic and allows us to shine a light on those who have helped apprentices to succeed locally. It has been a difficult time for many and these awards are an opportunity to celebrate the benefits and value of apprenticeships.”

Celebrate the impact of someone you know in apprenticeships and submit entries or nominations for the Awards before the 16 July deadline, by visiting the Worcestershire Apprenticeships webpage - https://worcsapprenticeships.org.uk/news/worcestershire-apprenticeships-awards-2021/

Don’t miss any of the conversation about the Awards by following the #WorcsApprentice hashtag and @WorcsApprentice account on social media.