Bradford College students enter West Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards

Bradford College is delighted to be a partner sponsor at the inaugural Awards, which are set to take place on June 9 at Bradford City AFC.

This week is the last chance for organisations and individuals to enter the Awards before the deadline on April 27.

After a tricky couple of years for businesses, it is more important than ever to celebrate the hard-working individuals and organisations involved in apprenticeships.

Join in by celebrating the amazing apprentices and apprenticeship programmes across West Yorkshire by entering in the following categories:

● SME Apprentice Employer of the Year

● Large Business Apprentice Employer

● Diversity and Inclusion Programme

● Training Provider/Programme of the Year

● Mentor of the Year

● Intermediate or Advanced Apprentice of the Year

● Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year

● Business & Law Apprentice of the Year

● Engineering & Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year

● Health & Public Service Apprentice of the Year

● Technology & Digital Apprentice of the year

● Construction Apprentice of the Year

With close to a million active Apprenticeships across England alone, apprenticeship schemes have fast become a route to future employment for thousands of school leavers.

These awards recognise and reward both the apprentices and their employers that are excelling across West Yorkshire.

Not only does winning an award mean recognition for the Apprentice, but it’s also a major morale boost for the company and workforce that support the apprentice.

Not too late to enter the Apprentice Awards

Shortlisted individuals will be invited to celebrate at the awards dinner at the McCall Suite at Bradford City AFC in June.

Times are challenging and teams are smaller, so organisers want to make it as easy as possible for businesses and individuals to showcase their hard work.

To nominate your business or star apprentice for an award, or find out more about the event, visit wyapprenticeshipawards.co.uk and submit your entry by April 15. Good luck!

#WYApprenticeshipAwards

Meet our Bradford College apprentices:

* Lucy is a Level 1 Hairdressing Apprentice at Cheney Square.

Through the Bradford College apprenticeship, she has gained valuable experience of hair colouring, hair structure, customer relations and other areas of the industry.

Says Lucy: “I decided to choose Bradford College to complete my hairdressing apprenticeship as two other staff members did their apprenticeships there and had a really good experience so I decided to follow in their footsteps.

It has been really beneficial at college, using the same tools as we use in the salon. We also have theory sessions where we learn about hair molecules and hair structure which is really helpful.

"After being a Saturday girl at a hairdressers for several years I only really had experience of doing shampooing, but now I am doing full head colours, highlights and one length cuts.

"The apprenticeship has helped me become more professional with customers, we have trained in consultation and that has taught me how to speak to customers and best advise them.

"I have found Bradford College really supportive, all the facilities are up to date and modern.

"It’s just a good environment to learn with nice people.”

* Charles is a Level 2 Engineering Apprentice at Don Whitley Scientific.

Says Charles: “It’s such an advantage learning on the job as well as the learning that college provide.

"We have a mentor scheme that was set up a couple of months ago within the workplace where we have two mentors across the department who have all the knowledge and skills that we need to complete production work.

"So, learning from them as well as learning at Bradford College has been really beneficial as you learn the applied skills on the job as well as the theory that you learn at college as well."

Charles adds: "I aspire to complete my level 2 apprenticeship then working towards become a level 4 Apprentice.”

Charles is an engineering apprentice

* Dominica is a Level 3 Dental Nurse Apprentice at Villa Dental Suite.

She says: "I have found that an apprenticeship is a really great way to start your career because you’re learning on the job, but at the same time you get your college days as well. The combination of both definitely makes it more fun.

"I think it's really important to get support from both the workplace and your tutor too, it gives you confidence and makes you feel like you’re doing a good job. The tutors at Bradford College are really helpful, whenever you have any questions or queries they are happy to help. When I started my apprenticeship, which wasn’t long ago, I had no confidence and was petrified of everything, but I am much more confident now both in general and in the workplace with all the treatments I carry out. Bradford College has helped me a lot.”