Outstanding DBC Apprentices are Recognised

OUTSTANDING apprentices and their employers have been recognised at Durham Business Club’s Apprentice of the Year Awards.

 

The achievements of more than 30 apprentices were acknowledged at a ceremony at Durham Cricket Club’s Riverside Ground.

 

The awards celebrate the apprentices’ exceptional contributions to their workplace, their good progress in learning and commitment to their own personal development.  Employers also received recognition for their vital role supporting apprenticeships.

 

Awards were presented by Iain Wright MP, the Parliamentary under Secretary of State for 14-19 Reform and Apprenticeships.

 

Mr Wright, who is the MP for Hartlepool, said: “ Thank you to everyone at Durham Business Club for organising this fantastic awards ceremony to celebrate the achievements of young people, their trainers and employers.              

 

“You are the people who are making a real difference to Durham and it’s been a great privilege to hear about the range of talent that can be unlocked when young people are given the chance to learn practical skills in a work environment.  I hope you will continue to help spread the message that apprenticeships have a great future.”

 

As well as being a business networking club with almost 300 members, Durham Business Club is also a training organisation providing apprenticeships in hairdressing; hair and beauty; accounting; and business administration.

 

Last year, Durham Business Club helped approximately 65 apprentices into employment and currently has an 84% graduation rate which is well above the national average.

 

Awards were presented in each of the four learning areas as well as an Overall Apprentice of the Year, won by hairdressing apprentice Abbey Bell, who works at SAS Hair and Beauty in Chester-le-Street. 

 

Young Apprentice of the Year was won by Lauren Cowan, who attends The Hermitage School in Chester-le-Street, but comes to Durham Business Club one day a week as part of the school group hairdressing young apprenticeship.

 

Bishop Auckland chartered accountancy firm Mitchells Grievson won the award for Apprentice Employer of the Year in recognition of its continuous support with the accounting apprenticeship.

 

Bryan Hoare, Chairman of Durham Business Club, said: “The awards are a great way to celebrate the fantastic work of our apprentices as well as the commitment of their employers.

 

“When we were reviewing the nominations it was inspiring to learn about the qualities the apprentices had and their commitment to achieving their goals and producing work way beyond expectations.”

 

 

This year’s award winners were:

 

Hairdressing – Abbey Bell

 

Beauty Therapy – Lauren Skingsley

 

Accounting – Chloe Lawson

 

Business Administration – Jayde Barber

 

Overall Apprentice of the Year – Abbey Bell

 

Young Apprentice of the Year – Lauren Cowan

 

Apprentice Employer of the Year – Mitchells Grievson Chartered Accountants.

 

   

Picture Caption 1 – Durham Business Club’s Apprentice of the Year Abbey Bell with Bryan Hoare, Chairman of Durham Business Club (left), and Iain Wright MP, the Parliamentary under Secretary of State for 14-19 Reform and Apprenticeships (right).

 

Picture Caption 2 – Durham Business Club’s Apprentices of the Year – (Left to right) Jayde Barber (business administration); Chloe Lawson (accounting); Apprentice Employer of the Year Nigel Rea of Mitchells Grievson chartered accountants; Iain Wright MP, the Parliamentary under Secretary of State for 14-19 Reform and Apprenticeships; Apprentice of the Year Abbey Bell; Young Apprentice of the Year Lauren Cowan; and Bryan Hoare, Chairman of Durham Business Club.

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