Stockport Champion finalist in National Apprentice Awards

A Stockport Council employee has reached the final of the National Apprenticeship Awards.

Alison Cresswell, Head of Participation and Education Services, is one of only two people in the North West to reach the regional finals in the category of “Apprentice Champion of the Year”.

Alison was nominated for the work she does to create and support apprenticeships, including the establishment of Stockport Apprenticeships Store and a number of apprenticeship programmes within the Council, as well as her engagement with local schools, colleges and employers. 

Champion Alison is a finalist in the National Apprentice Awards

Alison’s application was supported by Cabinet Member for Education, Councillor Dean Fitzpatrick, who said:

“Alison Cresswell is a force to be reckoned with.

“In the past five years alone, her successes include: establishing the country’s only Apprenticeships Store, implementing a Supported Apprenticeship Scheme, recruiting over 250 apprentices and designating hundreds of hours to support both learners and employers in their apprenticeship journey.

“Alison has also led strategic change. I have witnessed first-hand her work with Councillors and Senior Management to ensure resources are allocated to promote Apprenticeships, recognising their potential to support our young people and our economy. Apprenticeships are now a key part of our Borough Plan, and embedded within our recruitment process, with all new job roles being vetted to see if they present an opportunity to train an apprentice.

“In preparation for the Levy and in response to a skills need, Alison recently also made Apprenticeships key to our workforce development by working with local providers to devise brand new Chartered Management provision for leaders within the Council. As a result, Apprenticeships are now embedded across all levels of seniority within our organisation – a revolutionary change.”

The regional final will be held on October 9th at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool. If Alison is successful on the night, she will be entered into the National Final to be held in January 2018.