Businesses and apprentices in starring role at awards evening
A Weston College Apprentice brewer saw his own bottled bitter served at Weston College ‘Oscars’ glittering awards evening attended by 300 people to honour apprentices and businesses.
Dean Masters, 19, scooped Entrepreneur of the Year at the College's Excellence in Business Training Awards 2013 event on Thursday (June 13th) at the Winter Gardens.
Dean, who works for Masters Brewery in Wellington, was also Highly Commended in the Hospitality Learner of the Year both for his creative skills and the way he has overhauled the independent brewery’s website.
He said: “It’s fantastic to win the awards and see my specially brewed 4.3 per cent bitter served up. I’ve also made a Hawaiian Dwarf 7.5 per cent beer brewed with fresh mangoes plus a locally sourced mint and chocolate Imperial Stout.”
The UK Apprentice of the Year, Emma Rogers, of Cheddar, also took Outstanding Achievement of the Year Award.
The 20-year-old mum-of-one won Gold for Great Britain at WorldSkills competitions and recently opened her own beauty business in Wedmore.
She said: “I wasn’t expecting this and I really believe in the power of education. My aim is to become a role model and inspire other young people to go for their dreams.”
Employer of the Year was awarded to Broad Street Hair who also took Hair and Beauty Employer of the Year.
Director Wayne Hill who set up the company with sister, Tracy Taylor, has six branches in North Somerset and is set to expand.
Wayne said: “It’s fantastic to win the awards and I want to thank Academy Manager, Charlotte Leach, who deals with the Apprentices. Charlotte has a degree in physics and biology but decided to work for Broad Street because she loves teaching and hairdressing.
“We have 24 Apprentices and we work very closely with Weston College so it’s great to be recognised by them. “
John Kennedy took Achieving Above All the Odds Award.
The 45-year-old was addicted to drugs and alcohol since he was 14 and only learned to read and write when he was 29.
He has now been clean for eight years and supports people with addiction at Weston’s Broadway Lodge centre.
He said: “I am very happy with my life now. For so many years I just took, now I spend my time giving and it’s very rewarding.”
Alliance Homes took Construction Employer of the Year and Compliance Manager, Ian Carpenter said: “We have 12 Apprentices and I love to see young people gain the skills they need to be successful for the rest of their lives.”
Apprentice Amie Johnson won Sale of Residential Property Learner of the Year working for Heritage Estate Agents.
The 20-year-old has excelled in her job by selling more homes in Yatton and Clevedon than any of the other qualified employees.
She said: “I love my job and one day I’d like to run my own business, it’s fantastic to win this award.”
The evening was sponsored by Honeyfield Property Services and n-ergy. Judges included Department for Work and Pensions Partnership Manager, Tim Cowley and N-ergy Executive Director Tracy Jones. Students from the Wessex Academy of Performing Arts entertained guests before a three-course dinner.
Keynote speaker, Director of Skills for South West England Local Enterprise Partnership, Jane Middleton who said: “I am delighted to work with Weston College and this is one of the most successful Local Enterprise Partnerships in the UK.”
Weston College Principal and Chief Executive, Dr Paul Phillips OBE thanked everyone attending and said: “The last 12 months have proved exceptional for us despite the challenging economic climate.
“We place great emphasis on partnerships with businesses, funding agencies, North Somerset Council and the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership, partner schools and universities.”
A Level students at Weston College achieved a 99.8 per cent pass and 20 per cent of Higher Education students achieved a first class honours degree – way above the national average of 14 per cent.
There has been a 113 per cent growth in Apprentices as the College’s Business Enterprise Centre works with more than 1000 employers from Gloucestershire to Cornwall.
There are more than 50 apprenticeship programmes and over 90 per cent go on to become permanent employees.
Dr Phillips added: “Our motto is ‘Creating Brighter Futures. At Weston College the learner comes first. This is assisted by the tremendous partnerships we've made with business, and efforts of learners themselves.”
List of Business Awards 2013
Students:
Accountancy Learner of the Year: Yannis Aravadinos
Beauty Learner of the Year: Rebecca Morley
Business Learner of the Year: Cara Hiscox
Care Learner of the Year: Sarah Porter
Childcare Learner of the Year: Elizabeth Williams
Customer Service Learner of the Year: Nicola Durkin
Hair Learner of the Year: Bethany Miller
Hospitality and Catering Learner of the Year: Steven Newman
Sale of Residential Property Learner of the Year: Amie Johnston
Principal’s Awards:
Entrepreneur of the Year Dean Masters
Student who has made the biggest impact Chris Dixon
Achieving above all odds John Kennedy
Outstanding achievement of the Year to Emma Rogers
Opportunity North Somerset Award: Delyth Meredith-Jones
Business Awards:
Small Business Employer of the Year: Meiji Techno
Large Business Employer of the Year: Logistics company DHL
Care and Childcare Employer of the Year: Little Bears Day Nursery
Construction Employer of the Year: Alliance Homes
Hair and Beauty Employer of the Year: Broad Street Hair
Sales of Residential Property Employer of the Year: Michael Gould Property Agent
Hospitality Employer of the Year: The Golden Lion
Teaching Assistant Employer of the Year: Mead Vale Primary School
Principal’s Awards:
Individual’s Commitment to Training: Jenny Evans, Shared Lives, North Somerset Council
Business’ Commitment to Training: North Somerset Council
Employer of the Year: Broad Street Hair
If you would like to view the pictures from this evening's event, please view them here.
