Stockport celebrated the achievements of apprentices from Greater Manchester at an Apprenticeships Graduation Ceremony at Stockport Town Hall on Thursday 2nd July 2015 where around 50 apprentices and their guests, 60 employer representatives, 20 training providers and a number of key stakeholders from across Greater Manchester and Cheshire gathered.
Keynote speaker Mike Blackburn, Chair of the Greater Manchester’s Local Enterprise Partnership, spoke of the benefits Apprenticeships are bring to the economy as the Mayor of Stockport Cllr Andrew Verdeille and the leader of Stockport Council Cllr Sue Derbyshire presented the awards.
The graduation ceremony recognised advanced and higher apprentices who had achieved their qualification in the past year. As part of the ceremony, the apprentices had the opportunity for their photographs to be taken in a cap and gown with their training provider, employer and guests.
Councillor Sue Derbyshire, Leader of Stockport Council, said:
“We are very proud of what the apprentices from Greater Manchester have achieved, and we will continue to support young people into training and employment through apprenticeships.”
Musical entertainment was provided by Sarah Jones, a higher apprentice at Stockport Council, and Aquinas college students, Hesham Ibrahib, Bethany Marsden and Yolanda Piotrowicz. Videos produced by the creative and digital apprentices at Stockport Council were shown as part of the ceremony, reflecting the talent of apprentices.
The ceremony was led by Alison Cresswell, Head of Participation and Education Services at Stockport Council, who organised for the apprentices to have their photographs taken with the Mayor and his consort, before receiving certificates in the following sectors:
- Business Administration
- Leadership and Management
- AAT Accounting
- Customer Service
- Enterprising in a Business Environment
- Creative, Digital Media
- IT Software
- Web and Telecoms
- Marketing
- Hairdressing
- Professional Cookery
- Children’s and Young People’s Workforce
- Engineering Manufacture
- Finishing Furniture
- Gas Utilisation Maintenance
- Wood Occupations
- Planned Maintenance on Heating Systems
Guests made donations on the day to the Mayor’s chosen charity – Stockport Young Carers.
Feedback from attendees was excellent, with apprentices saying it very rewarding to have their hard work celebrated at an event like this, with their family. Many employers said this was a perfect way to further advertise and promote the benefits of completing an apprenticeship, and the benefits of an apprentice for a company.
Sponsorship for the event was provided by the Association of Colleges, National Apprenticeships Service, Damar Training, Stockport College, The Manchester College and Stockport NHS Foundation Trust.
For further information about events like this, and the 14-19 agenda, you can contact the Council on 0161 474 2350 or 14-19.Services@stockport.gov.uk
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