York trio highlights city’s apprenticeships strength at regional awards

Clifton Green Primary School has won the small business category at the regional National Apprenticeship Awards.

The school, which has 11 apprentices out of a total of 80 staff, will go forward to the national finals in London on 27 November after being recognised for its work supporting apprentices.

Natasha Palmer, Minster FM’s Digital Content Producer, won the Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year category.

Alan Milner, a Digital Content Executive from LNER, who completed his apprenticeship at City of York Council, was highly commended for his work in championing apprentices.

Lisa Green, Business Manager at Clifton Green Primary School, said: We are thrilled to be recognised for our work with apprentices. Apprenticeships offer us as a school, the opportunity to find the best people for the role, to upskill existing members of staff and support our local community in to work. This recognition and the chance to travel to the national awards compliments our motto ‘Better Never Stops’.”

Cllr Andrew Waller, Executive Member for Economy and Strategic Development, City of York Council, said: “We have a really strong track record of creating high quality apprenticeships in York and I’m delighted that this has been reflected with local success in the regional awards. Apprenticeships can provide a stepping stone to a wide variety of different careers and are a great way for businesses to develop local talent in-house. 

“I’d like to wish our ‘York’ finalists the very best of luck in the national finals.”

Anyone wanting further information in recruiting apprentices or finding an apprenticeship in York should contact York Apprenticeship Hub on 01904 553732 or email york.apprenticeships@york.gov.uk

York apprentice of the year winner works for Minster FM

Apprentices from across York graduated on Tuesday 27 November at the eighth annual apprenticeship awards ceremony at the Grand Opera House.

York Apprentice of the Year 2018 – Under 25 (Smaller Employer) is Natasha Palmer – Digital Content Apprentice at Minster FM and has completed an Advanced Level 3 Digital Marketing qualification with 3aaas

After receiving the award, Natasha said:  “I was thrilled to be nominated for this award and I am astounded that I won, as the standard of all the nominees was amazing. I have an incredible time working at Minster FM, they give me so many opportunities and are so supportive. I am already working towards my Level 4 Qualification and I cannot thank Minster FM and my tutor Rebecca enough. Choosing an apprenticeship has been one of the best decisions of my life and I cannot recommend it enough.”

York Apprentice of the Year 2018 – Under 25 (Larger Employer)  was Calum Finn – Process Engineering Apprentice at Nestlé and has completed an Advanced Electrical & Mechanical Engineering qualification with York College

Apprentices received scrolls from The Guilds of York for completing their apprenticeship training and qualifications and proudly walked across the stage to loud applause from the 300 strong audience of family, friends and employers.

The ceremony included inspirational key note speeches from FERA Science Ltd, winner of the York Large Employer of the Year 2017. Laura Faulkner, Assistant Scientist and Apprentice Graduate 2017 talked about her on-going career journey towards a degree apprenticeship with York St John University and Andrew Swift, CEX, talked about the importance of attracting, developing and retaining talent to support the growth of FERA.

Following the presentation of the scrolls, the ceremony moved on to the prestigious York Apprenticeship Awards which recognise the outstanding qualities, achievements, commitment and progression of both individual apprentices and their employers.

Winners for the five categories were selected by the independent panel following a high number of quality nominations.

A full list of award winners can be viewed by clicking here

York Apprenticeship Graduation and Awards Ceremony: final call to graduate

Apprentices from across York will be graduating at the eighth York Apprenticeship Graduation and Awards Ceremony on 27 November 2018) co-ordinated by City of York Council’s Skills Team.

The event will celebrate the achievements of young people and adults who have successfully completed their apprenticeship qualification and training. They will all receive a certificate presented by The York Guilds.

A total of 23 young people, adults and employers are also in the running for the 2018 York Apprenticeship Awards, which will be presented on the same night at the Grand Opera House.

A panel of independent judges have whittled down the shortlist for five categories:

  • Apprentice of the Year Under 25 (Small Employer).
  • Apprentice of the Year Under 25 (Large Employer).
  • Apprentice of the Year Over 25.
  • Assessor of the Year
  • Employer of the Year

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Could an apprentice help your business grow?

City of York Council is calling on businesses in the area to find out how the new funding for apprenticeship training could help their business up skill existing staff or hire new staff ahead of National Apprenticeship week running from 5-9 March.

Employers from across the city will be showcasing high quality apprenticeship vacancies at York’s ninth apprenticeship recruitment event, organised by the council-led York Apprenticeship Hub.

The event on Thursday 8 March will see over 400 young people meet with recruiting employers and existing apprentices to find out information about alternative routes through Level 3 qualifications and university.

Cllr Keith Orrell, Interim Executive Member for Economic Development and Community Engagement, said: “If your business is looking into apprenticeships, or you are not sure what the apprenticeship reforms or apprenticeship levy means for your business, then this event can help your business find out more. Our apprenticeships team will be on hand to help with any queries.”

Over 100 apprenticeship vacancies will be promoted covering business and finance, construction, retail, hospitality, digital & IT, engineering, law, childcare & intelligence. Exhibiting employers include: Nestlé, PureNet, City of York Council, the Armed Services, Fera Science Ltd, Network Rail and many more.

To either meet with training providers or someone independent from the council-led York Apprenticeship Hub team, or to exhibit your apprenticeship vacancies at the event, please contact the apprenticeship team on york.apprenticeships@york.gov.uk or 01904 553732.

Nominate an apprentice: 6th October deadline

Now in its seventh year, this high profile city-wide event is seeking nominations for outstanding apprentices and employers of apprentices by 6 October, for the Awards Ceremony in November.

Led by City of York Council in partnership with The Guilds of York and training providers, the Annual York Graduation and Awards Ceremony has been a growing success.

Over the last year around 1700 York employees have benefited from apprenticeship training as businesses have created jobs and taken on new apprentice recruits or supported the professional development of their existing staff.

This year’s ceremony at the Grand Opera House on 8 November will showcase the individual and business benefits of apprenticeship training and celebrate the achievements of the city’s outstanding apprentices and businesses employing apprentices.

There are five categories for the awards: Apprentice of the Year aged 16-24 (smaller business); Apprentice of the Year aged 16-24 (Larger Employer), Apprentice of the Year aged 25 or over, Smaller Employer of the Year and Larger Employer of the Year.

Last year’s apprentice winners were Shane Fenton (Ambulance Care Assistant for Yormed), Louis Watson (Developer at PureNet/PureClarity) and joint winners, in the 25 and overs category, Nicky Smith (Facilities Assistant at Joseph Rowntree Foundation) and Nicola Eastwood (Senior Carer at The Lodge, Roseville Holdings ltd). Employer winners were York Millennium Windows and Nestlé .

Cllr Keith Orrell, Executive Member for Economic Development and Community Engagement, said: “We are constantly striving to boost apprenticeship training in York to benefit the development of both new recruits and existing members of staff in local businesses and organisations. The amazing achievements and career progression of those nominated and graduating reveals how much talent there is in our wonderful city.”

This high profile annual graduation and awards ceremony highlights the talent and skills York has to support the growth of local business.

Those who have completed an apprenticeship qualification in York or with a York employer or training provider between November 1 2016 and October 31 2017, are eligible to graduate this year.

*To register to graduate, nominate your apprentice or employer for an award or for more information, email york.apprenticeships@york.gov.uk, call 01904 553732 or fill in our online form at www.york.gov.uk/apprenticeshipevents.

Apprenticeship reforms – do you know what they mean for you and your business?

York Council asks, “Do you know how your business can benefit from new funding for taking on an apprentice and training your existing staff from April?”

As well as offering the chance for young people to meet with employers about real apprenticeship vacancies, the latest York Apprenticeship Recruitment Event is inviting local businesses to find out more about the upcoming apprenticeship reforms.

The event takes place on Thursday 2 March at West Offices, City of York Council.

At the event businesses will be able to meet an independent business adviser to talk about the changes to the funding for apprenticeship training for employers and how businesses can benefit from them. For example, if you are looking to recruit a 16-18 year old, there will be a £1000 grant available to businesses of any size. If you have less than 50 staff, the training is also fully funded by the Government. If your payroll exceeds £3m, however, you are about to become an apprenticeship levy payer, with different changes to be aware of. (more…)

Another York apprenticeship recruitment event announced for 2nd March

 apprenticeshipsYoung people will be able to find out about over 100 apprenticeship vacancies across the city at the latest York apprenticeship recruitment event on 2 March 2017.

The event is coordinated by City of York Council’s York Apprenticeship Hub team.

The recruitment event, which takes place at West Offices between 4.00pm and 7.00pm, looks to highlight both the individual benefits of pursuing an apprenticeship job with training and the business benefits of hiring apprentices.

The event will provide an opportunity for young people aged 16-24 and their parents or carers, to meet with recruiting employers and to find out about alternative routes to Level 3 qualifications and university.

As well as the chance to speak to employers, training providers and current apprentices the event will also offer the opportunity for young people to book one-to-one advice sessions. The guidance sessions can advise people on CVs, job searching, interviews and the different options available to them.

With over 100 apprenticeship vacancies across the city, including accountancy, marketing, engineering and health, the event has lots to offer people who are considering their next step toward a career. Employers, such as Nestlé, Siemens, Portakabin, the Armed services, Marriott Hotel and many more, will be looking to fill vacancies and share information on their apprenticeship schemes. Training providers will also be available to discuss other York based apprenticeship vacancies and training opportunities.
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