A business administration apprentice studying at City of Wolverhampton College triumphed in two categories at its online apprenticeship awards ceremony.
Andrea Clarke, aged 19, a business administration apprentice at DENSO Manufacturing UK Ltd in Telford, beat off tough competition to be named Apprentice of the Year 2021 after her nomination demonstrated that she shows real professionalism, is a role model for apprenticeships and has a can-do attitude, going above and beyond what is required of her in the workplace.
Andrea was also one of three winners of Rising Star awards – with apprentices nominated by their employers – which recognise those who have made excellent progress in their career to date and have the potential to go on to successful future careers in their chosen industry.
Rising Star awards also went to Adam Lainchbury, an engineering technician apprentice at Kyocera Unimerco in Fradley, and Declan Bunt, a carpentry and joinery apprentice at Wolverhampton-based construction firm James Wilkes Ltd.
Phil Tomlinson, head of the Monozukuri Skills Promotion Centre at DENSO, said: “ The Monozukuri Skills promotion Centre at DENSO was established, in part, with a remit to attract and develop next generation talent.
“Andrea and her peer group of apprentices are a fantastic example of the centre’s strategy being put into action across a range of disciplines to ensure that DENSO remains a ‘sustainable’ company, fit for the future. DENSO’s partnership with the college is really bearing fruit.”
College assessors also nominated apprentices for a series of level-based awards, with Vicky Licence, a hairdressing apprentice at Umberto Giannini in Stourbridge winning the level 2 category, Lucy Heathcock, a business administration apprentice at the college topping the level 3 category, and Kath Hennes, a leadership and management apprentice for housing association GreenSquareAccord, coming first in the category for programmes at level four or above.
Jo Baugh, head of employer engagement at the college, said: “Our apprentices have shown incredible resilience and commitment to learning during the challenges of the last 18 months and we were delighted to celebrate their successes at our virtual awards ceremony.
“The standard of entries in all categories in was extremely high and the comments made by employers and college assessors when nominating their apprentices were outstanding – they should all be extremely proud of their achievements and our congratulations go to all the award winners.”
Get details of all apprenticeships offered by the college here
