AN APPRENTICE at a computing firm in Bradford has been nominated for a national award - just eight months after starting work at the business.

Saffiya Syeed, who is a member of the academy programme at CCS Media, has been shortlisted for the prize in the Asian Apprenticeship Awards.

If successful, she will pick up the Asian Creative and Digital Apprentice of the Year award at a ceremony, held at Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham on Thursday, November 2.

A former Samuel Lister Academy student, Saffiya has only been working at CCS Media since February, and has since worked hard and developed her skills in the academy programme.

The programme is spearheaded at CCS Media’s office in Bradford, and is designed to be a multi-stage development and career plan for school leavers. It gives members opportunities to develop skills and work their way up the company ladder.

Saffiya, 17, from Heaton, said: “I feel honoured to be recognised by the Asian Apprenticeship Award committee.

“I’ve learnt so much in the last six months and the support and guidance I receive on a daily basis has helped me get this far.

“This is not just recognition for my hard work, but also for CCS Media’s shared values of nurturing talent and providing opportunities to individuals, regardless of ethnic or academic background.”

Kiel Townend, general manager at CCS Media Bradford, said: “I am delighted with Saffiya and the commitment shown by all other 16 apprentices, many of whom have completed diplomas in team leading and technical sales. We have opened up additional office space this month within our unit that can house around 110 account managers, so we certainly have the capacity for further growth in Bradford with the talent, tools and technical skills to make us possibly the largest apprentice employer in the area.”

CCS Media was listed just outside the top half in this year’s Sunday Times Top Track 250, which ranks British private companies on sales and growth.

Bradford is the lead office for the company’s apprenticeship scheme, and is one of 20 offices around the UK.