Search is on for young achievers

11:40am Thursday 10th April 2008

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BIDDULPH employers are being urged to showcase their brightest young achievers following the launch of the fourth Staffordshire Apprenticeship Awards.

Companies and public sector organisations from across the county can now nominate worthy apprentices for the 2008 Awards - organised by the Staffordshire Providers' Association (SPA).

Judging is under way and the final shortlist will be announced next week.

The successful finalists are invited to a prestigious awards ceremony on May 15 at the Moat House Hotel in Stoke on Trent, where they will also receive a prize and a certificate marking their achievements.

Statistics show an increase both in apprenticeships available across Staffordshire and those opting to take up the trainee positions.

A total of 4,918 apprenticeships were undertaken in the last financial year compared to 2007/8 when 5,081 were snapped up.

Furthermore there was also an increased success rate rising from 30 per cent two years ago, up to 50 per cent in the last financial year, soaring to 63 per cent in 2008.

This year SPA hopes the competition, jointly sponsored by South Staffs Housing Association and Gleeson Regeneration Ltd, attracts even more nominations from employers who can enter their apprentices into one of 5 categories.

The judges' overall favourite will then receive a separate Young Apprentice of the Year' Award.

New to the event this year, the commitment employers invest in their trainees will be recognised with two categories: one for those employing more than 50 staff (sponsored by Capita) and another for those with 50 or fewer (sponsored by Business Link in the West Midlands).

Kevin Smith, Chairman of SPA, is looking forward to the process of recognising and rewarding the area's unsung achievers.

"This is the fourth year we've been running the Awards, and we should be very proud of Staffordshire's tradition of investing in its young apprentices," he said.

"Taking the first steps on the career ladder or embarking on Further Education can be difficult. "But an apprenticeship, supported by a learning provider and an employer, can make a very challenging transition much smoother.

"Apprenticeships provide work-based training for young people and adults who want to learn new skills and gain qualifications while working.

"Through promoting this training, our aim is to ensure that both young people and employers can get the most out of apprenticeships and apprentices themselves gain the best quality in terms of learning and job placement.

"It is crucial to celebrate all this talent and achievement, and an awards evening is the perfect way to recognise all their hard work."

For more information on nominating or sponsorship please visit: www.staffspa.org.