Top apprentices and employers gathered for a red carpet event, hosted by Themis at Burnley College, to recognise their exceptional achievements and celebrate the very best in the region’s business community.
More than 180 guests attended the biennial Inspire & Achieve Awards, held on September 7, against the backdrop of the state-of-the-art, industry-led training facilities available to Themis’ outstanding apprentices and employers who are investing in their workforce, giving them the skills they need to succeed through on-going training and development.
The event was hosted by Chris Maguire (pictured below), editor and co-owner of national business technology magazine BusinessCloud. The guest speaker was William Fletcher, managing director of Preston-based social business Recycling Lives, who shared the inspirational story of his career.
The winners were:
- Intermediate Apprentice Award – Stephen Sumner (Roefield Leisure, Clitheroe)
- Skills and Training Provider Award (small – 50 employees or fewer) – Alert Fire and Security (Burnley)
- One to Watch Award – WINNER Nebeela Desai (Paradigm Precision Ltd, Hapton) RUNNER-UP Daniel White (Fitzpatrick’s UK Ltd, Nelson)
- Skills and Training Provider Award (medium – 51-249 employees) – Parker Plumbing & Heating Services (Burnley)
- Young Engineer Award – Owen Hodgson (Fort Vale, Simonstone)
- Skills and Training Provider Award (large – more than 250 employees) – WEC Group (Darwen)
- Advanced Apprentice of the Year Award – Abigail Parkinson (KAMAN UK, Darwen)
- Judges’ Choice – Carrice Dickinson (Pendleside Hospice)
Themis chief executive Hugh Bramwell said: “The Themis apprentices and employers honoured at the Inspire and Achieve Awards are truly exceptional. They confirm all that is great about Themis: commitment, talent, ambition and a drive to be the very best.
“Our award winners are leading the way – Apprentices who are enhancing their skills and career prospects even further and employers who have recognised the potential of apprentices and are shaping the leaders of tomorrow. The importance of continuous training within industry cannot be underestimated: it gives employees vital skills and job satisfaction and fuels business growth.
“Themis at Burnley College congratulates all our award winners on their outstanding success. The calibre of the winners is testament to the determination and vision of apprentices and employers and is a clear indication that our industries are in safe hands going forward.”
The finalists were presented with their awards by the judging panel, made up of industry experts and business leaders:
- Lesley Burrows: Founder and managing director of Positive Footprints Network and The Job Junction.
- Lisa Edge: Managing Director of Lancashare.
- Laura Hartley: Founder of Laura Hartley Recruitment.
- David Walker: Founder of +24 Marketing.
- Joanne Etherington: Burnley Brand PR & Marketing Officer, Burnley Council/Burnley Bondholder Brand Team.
- Simon Brierley: Managing Director of radio station 2BR.
- Murray Dawson: Owner of Scott Dawson Advertising.
- Stephen Bolton: Commercial Director of Lancashire Business View, commerce and industry magazine.
The eye-catching awards were produced by Hope Technology, Barnoldswick, using the high-tech machinery and highly-skilled workforce that have seen them become global leaders in the bicycle parts industry.
Themis offers Apprenticeships in more than 50 industry areas. Do you have what it takes to be the very best? Do you want to join these elite apprentices? Visit www.burnley.ac.uk/themis or call 01282 733005 for more information.