Newton Aycliffe-based Gestamp Tallent Ltd, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of chassis and suspension products for the automotive industry, was recognised for its commitment to apprenticeships last night at the twelfth North East Regional Apprenticeship Awards, organised by the National Apprenticeship Service.
The company, which currently has over 50 apprentices working in engineering, maintenance and tool-making within its 1,300 strong workforce, was awarded the BAE Systems Award for Large Employer of the Year at a the awards ceremony held at the Discovery Museum in Newcastle.
Training Controller David Pearson, said, “We are delighted to have won this award as apprenticeships are fundamental to our business. Our apprentices have exceeded expectations, in terms of commercial benefits to the business and increased loyalty.
“That is why a lot of our apprentices have enjoyed good progression within the company and have worked their way up to senior positions, forming the backbone of the business.”
The National Apprenticeship Awards celebrate the success of the country’s most exceptional apprentices and apprenticeship employers. The awards challenge top apprenticeship employers and apprentices across England to come forward and show how apprenticeships have made a real difference to their organisation and careers.
Anthony Knowles, Head of Employer and Delivery Services (North East) for the National Apprenticeship Service said,
“Apprenticeships deliver for businesses, individuals and the economy. They enable people to gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed, in some cases up to degree level, while working and earning. For businesses, hiring apprentices is a productive and effective way for them to grow their own talent by developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.
“The National Apprenticeship Awards enable talented apprentices and committed employers to receive the recognition they richly deserve. They not only help celebrate the achievements of apprentices and businesses, allowing them to gain the credit for investing in their own futures, but they drive up quality and encourage others to get involved.
“Today’s winners are the best of the best in the North East and I would like to congratulate them on their achievements. They deserve to be rewarded for their efforts. There has never been a better time to become an apprentice or employ one.”
Businesses and apprentices fought off tough competition to win this year’s coveted awards.
This year’s winners for the North East are:
• McDonald’s Award for Intermediate Apprentice of the Year: Ryan Davies, South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust;
Highly Commended: Ryan Hepple, TW Steam and Heating Ltd
• EAL Award for Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Matthew Collins, Proctor and Gamble.
Highly Commended: Victoria English, Caterpillar Peterlee Ltd
• The Nuclear Decommissioning Site Licence Companies Award for the Higher Apprentice of the Year: Nathan Charrada, Proctor and Gamble.
Highly commended: Bethany Cross, Northumberland Fire and Rescue
• City & Guilds Apprenticeship Champion of the Year: George Ritchie MBE, PX Limited
Highly Commended: Stephen Gowland, Ils solicitors
• EON and The National Skills Academy for Power Medium Employer of the Year: Sotech Limited.
• BAE Systems Award for Large Employer of the Year: Gestamp Tallent Ltd.
• Highly commended: Caterpillar Peterlee Ltd
• EDF Energy Award for Newcomer SME of the Year: PROPS North East.
Following the regional ceremonies, the winners from each category in all 11 areas of England will have their entries sent for national judging, and three from each category will be selected as national finalists.
The apprenticeship employer entries that were judged to be the very best of the best will have the additional honour of featuring in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list, which will be produced by the National Apprenticeship Service.
The national award winners and Top 100 Employers will be revealed at a ceremony held in January 2016 at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
Visit apprenticeships.gov.uk or call 08000 150 600 to find out more about apprenticeships.
David Pearson & Hannah Potter, Gestamp Tallent Ltd.
