Gloucestershire College is thrilled to have won two awards at last night's Gloucestershire Apprenticeship Awards 2020.

The college took home both Gloucestershire's Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year and Outstanding Contribution to Apprenticeships in Gloucestershire.

It was a virtual night of celebrating the incredible successes of outstanding apprentices, trailblazing employers and cutting-edge training providers, hosted by BBC Points West's, Steve Knibbs.

Steve Knibbs, host of the awards and reporter for BBC Points West, said: "The award for Outstanding Contribution to Apprenticeships in Gloucestershire is judged by a panel and presented to an individual or organisation who has helped to drive the county's apprenticeship campaigns through inspiration, energy and imagination. The winner of the award was selected by all the judges as a stand-out winner for 2020, who deserved to be recognised for their ongoing commitment to apprenticeships right across the region."

Gloucestershire College was delighted to be awarded recognition for Outstanding Contribution to Apprenticeships, as well as winning Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year again, after previously winning the award in 2018. The awards recognise the college's achievements and commitment to apprenticeships and apprentices in Gloucestershire.

Andy Bates, vice principal and chief financial officer at Gloucestershire College, said: "We are so proud to win these awards. Our apprentices at Gloucestershire College and the employers we work with are bucking the national trend. We have continued to place hundreds of apprentices this year with outstanding employers to build successful careers.

"Our award for Outstanding Contribution to Apprenticeships in Gloucestershire demonstrates our commitment to helping the next generation in Gloucestershire thrive, and it's thanks to the resilience of the business community here in Gloucestershire that we are able to provide young people with a bright future.

"We have made unprecedented advances this year including securing £3 million for new facilities, launching our brand new cyber degree apprenticeship and developing a full suite of January 2021 starts for our apprenticeships to provide employers with much needed flexibility. I am exceptionally proud of all the staff at Gloucestershire College for delivering outstanding training for our apprentices and employers.

Juie Tegg, director of apprenticeships and employer Ttaining at Gloucestershire College, said: "We are absolutely delighted to be named the winner of Training Provider of the Year for yet another year. It is a testament to our incredible Business Hub and apprenticeship team who all work incredibly hard to deliver excellence for our apprentices and employers.

"We know that apprenticeships are the future and they are making an extraordinary impact right here in Gloucestershire. The young talent in this county is exceptional. We urge any employer to join over 1,000 local businesses who already work with us to take on apprentices.

"Our January apprenticeship starts for construction, accounting, IT, marketing, HR, hairdressing and more are just around the corner, so now is the perfect time to get in touch with our Business Hub team to get the ball rolling. We're proud to deliver over 45 apprenticeship programmes to provide the right solutions for Gloucestershire businesses and lifelong opportunities for our apprentices themselves."

Three of Gloucestershire College's own apprentices also scooped awards on the night:

• Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (Engineering, Manufacturing, Energy & Electrica)l: Jack Chapman, Renishaw
• Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (Health, Wellbeing, Care & Education): Ellie Martin, Pittville School
• Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (Construction): Robert Mustoe, E G Carter & Co Ltd - Former Level 3 & 4 BTEC student at Gloucestershire College

Ellie Martin from Pittville School, winner of Outstanding Apprentice of the Year for Health, Wellbeing, Care & Education, said: "I'd like to say a massive thank you to Gloucestershire College and Pittville School for all their support. Well done and congratulations to the other finalists, Lauryn and Imogen. I'm really pleased to have won! I've now completed my apprenticeship and I'm now in a permanent position."

The awards were dominated by Gloucestershire College with six apprentices, one student, and one key employer partner, Iress, all recognised as finalists for their outstanding achievements.

Other big winners on the night were:

• Employer of the Year: Stroud District Council
• Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (Business, Administrative & Financial Services): Daniel Green, ASGUK (Systems) Ltd
• Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (Hair & Beauty Therapy): Evie Hockey, Keay Ltd
• Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (Public Services): Rowan Middleton, Gloucestershire County Council
• Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (Hospitality, Travel and Customer Service): Peter Szucs, Lilian Faithfull Care
• Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (Technology, Digital & Creative Sector): Morgan Stancer, Bloxham PR

The GloucestershireLive Apprenticeship Awards were sponsored by SGS College.

For more information about how to apply for an apprenticeship at Gloucestershire College please visit: https://www.gloscol.ac.uk/apprenticeships/apprenticeships/ 

To recruit an apprentice for your business, please visit: https://www.gloscol.ac.uk/campaigns/back-local-talent/ or contact the GC Business Hub team via: business.hub@gloscol.ac.uk or 01452 563400.