Celebrating excellence at Bristol’s Apprentice Awards

Over 100 people gathered at City Hall last night (14 November) for the annual On Site Bristol Apprentice Awards.

The awards have been running for over 15 years and celebrate the contribution that local construction apprentices and employers make to local industry. Achievements in trades such as plumbing, brickwork and electrical services were recognised across 18 different award categories at last night’s celebration.

Mayor of Bristol, Marvin Rees, opened the celebrations. He said:

“These awards give us the chance to take a moment to reflect on the achievements of our talented young apprentices and I’d like to congratulate all our winners and nominees. The On Site Bristol team play an important role in creating these opportunities, inspiring apprentices and nurturing their talent. This is brilliant for our local industries as many of our past winners have gone on to start their own companies and take on apprentices of their own. As a Learning City we are always looking to create more opportunities for people to learn and I’d also like to thank the many employers offering quality apprenticeships to help make Bristol a more equal place to live and work.”

One special award was also handed out to the Apprentice of the Year, Emma Lashwood, a Joinery apprentice with Bristol City Council Housing Delivery, whose hard work and commitment to her development has been an inspiration to other apprentices.

Emma said:

“I’m really excited to have received this award and would like to thank Bristol City Council’s Housing Delivery team for giving me many varied opportunities to progress. I love my job and since starting my apprenticeship I have learnt so many new skills which I will be able to use for the rest of my life. I would urge other young people considering an apprenticeship to seriously consider it – for me it is one of the best things I’ve done.”

Awards were presented to recipients by the Mayor Marvin Rees, Councillor Lesley Alexander, Deputy Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Anna Keen, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills and Carl Zammit, Director of 21st Century Building Services.

Carl Zammit, said:

“In today’s market finding a job can be difficult if you don’t have the skills or qualifications that employers need. Doing an apprenticeship is an excellent way of making yourself appealing to businesses, especially in industries such as construction where hands on learning is essential. The team at On Site Bristol are doing a fine job of joining up the dots between employers, training and young people and helping to reduce skills gaps and develop the workforce of the future.”

On Site Bristol currently has 300 apprentices on their programme and has worked in partnership with over 200 employers in the area. 92% of all On Site Bristol apprentices achieve their qualifications and gain permanent employment. The programme also works closely with a range of education partners including over 40 local schools, the Construction Industry Training Board, local further education colleges and training centres. The focus is to develop the skills of the trade young people need to excel in the construction industry and to also build life skills that will support apprentices in and out of the work environment.

On Site Bristol is hosting a free drop-in open evening on 28 November at the Create Centre for anyone leaving education after year 11,12 or 13. For more information call 0117 3521960 or visit: www.onsitebristol.co.uk/2018/11/06/on-site-bristol-open-evening-3/

List of 2018 award recipients:

  • Employer of the Year (Small Medium Enterprise) – Cook & Harris
  • Employer of the Year (Large Company)- Taylor Wimpey Bristol
  • Supporting Apprenticeships award – JAS Building Services
  • 1st Year Apprentice – Lewis Woodbridge-Nash, carpentry apprentice
  • 2nd Year apprentice – Alex White, plumbing apprentice
  • 3rd Year apprentice – Ryan True, electrical apprentice
  • 4th Year apprentice – Kyle Bailey, plumbing apprentice
  • Carpentry & Joinery apprentice – Tony Grinnell
  • Trowel Occupations – Cameron Nelson
  • Electrical apprentice – Lewis Hedges
  • Plumbing apprentice – Ashley Grice
  • Painting & Decorating Apprentice of the year – Eloise Parker
  • Workplace champion of the year – Claire Stockham
  • Supervisor of the year – Ross Humphries
  • Tutor of the Year Award – Liz Mytton
  • Special Achievement Award – Rebecca Meaden
  • Self-employed plumber – Khius England
  • Apprentice of the Year – Emma Lashwood