Damar Training’s 2016 Apprenticeship Awards – winners announced

The results are in for Damar Training’s Annual Apprenticeship Awards 2016. Headquartered in Stockport, Damar is one of the country’s leading providers of apprenticeships and work-based training and, over the past year, has worked with over 1,500 apprentices at more than 300 employers nationwide.

The awards coincide with National Apprenticeship Week (14-18 March 2016) and recognise the achievements of outstanding apprentices, employers and apprentice supervisors. Damar’s ‘Mark Aspinall’ award celebrates the success of an apprentice who has overcome particular challenges.

The winners of Damar’s 2016 apprenticeship awards are:

Employer of the Year – Peninsula Business Services

Apprentice of the Year – Christian Cameron, JB Leitch Ltd

Intermediate Apprentice of the Year – Hannah Rakeshaw, PAL Hire

Advanced Apprentice of the Year– Christian Cameron, JB Leitch Ltd

The Mark Aspinall Award – Neil Williams, Alvanley Family Practice. You can learn more about Neil here.

Newcomer Employer of the Year – Stuarts Property Services Ltd

Apprentice Supervisor of the Year – Lynn Kydd, Clarity Travel Management

Jonathan Bourne, Damar’s Managing Director commented: “We are exceptionally proud of all our 2016 winners. A recurring theme across all of the winning entries was the positive impact of apprentices on their workplaces. We were delighted by the number of employers who reported that their apprentices were willing to go the extra mile in the form of new ideas, energy or simply taking on work that frees up the time of more experienced employees.

“The standard of the nominations this year was exceptional and demonstrated, time and time again, how good apprenticeships contribute to greater productivity, increased profits, better morale and staff retention. My thanks and congratulations go to all those employers, apprentices, supervisors and my colleagues at Damar who have, together, achieved such fantastic outcomes over the past year.”

Peter Done, managing director of Peninsula Business Services, Damar’s 2016 employer of the year said:  “We are absolutely thrilled to be named employer of the year in Damar’s Annual Apprenticeship Awards 2016.  By offering apprenticeships, we aim to provide young people with an opportunity to develop their skills and knowledge, helping them build a satisfying and rewarding long-term career. I would like to thank all our apprentices at Peninsula for their hard-work, enthusiasm and commitment throughout the year. Here’s to providing a platform for today’s young, bright business stars.”

One of the judges, Neil Wainwright-Farrar, Training Manager at Clarity Travel Management added: “I was delighted to support the judging process for Damar in their 2016 Annual Apprenticeship Awards.  It is fantastic to see employers fully supporting apprentices and that there are so many young talented people who are dedicated in becoming stars of the future. Some very high standards were displayed making the judging process very tough indeed.  Well done to all the winners!”

Damar would like to thank the judges for their assistance this year: Gill Clarke, Jessica Fletcher, Jane Lockhart, Andy Lovatt and Neil Wainwright-Farrar.

Many congratulations again to all winners.