Apprentice of the Year award
Claire Harrison wins prestigious Apprentice of the Year award at the annual national Apprenticeship Awards
14 July 2008
Claire Harrison wins prestigious Apprentice of the Year award at the annual Learning and Skills Council’s Apprenticeship Awards.
Now in their fifth year, the Learning and Skills Council’s Apprenticeship Awards are designed to recognise employers who are successfully using Apprenticeships to improve business performance and the key role apprentices play in today’s business world, spanning the breadth of the economy from accountancy, engineering, pharmaceutical and veterinary nursing.
Claire, 21, completed her Apprenticeship in Team Leading with North Lancs Training Group and is now a valued member of staff at Dales Pharmaceuticals in Skipton, North Yorkshire.
Claire has made a strong and measurable impact on the company’s success as a result of her Apprenticeship. When she began as team leader in the packing department of the company, absenteeism was at 11 per cent. Within three months of Claire becoming team leader, absenteeism was reduced to two per cent and maintained that level for several months.
Claire says: “With the skills and knowledge I gained through my Apprenticeship, I have helped the packing department to improve budgets and efficiencies. I have also kept absenteeism below three per cent each month.”
“I feel a great sense of achievement from completing my Apprenticeship and it has increased my desire to learn,” added Claire, who recently enrolled in an Advanced Apprenticeship in Management to help her career progression continue.
The four apprentice award categories seek to celebrate apprentices’ commitment to developing their skills and experience through Apprenticeships. Apprentices were judged on criteria that include their commitment to training, the range and diversity of their experience in their chosen field, their achievements within the workplace and demonstration of the way Apprenticeships have benefited their lives.
Speaking at the event, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham urged the nation to get behind Apprenticeships.
“Over the past decade we have more than doubled the number of young people and adults starting Apprenticeships, spanning the breadth of our economy from accountancy to engineering, construction to veterinary nursing.
“But we plan to do more. In the next decade all qualified school leavers will have the right to an apprenticeship. It will become a typical choice for young people and adults – at the same time ensuring that businesses get the vital skills they need.
“Apprenticeships are at the heart of the country’s economy. They unlock England’s talent and are the key to our future prosperity.
“I congratulate every employer and apprentice who has taken part in these awards. They are testament to what can be achieved by putting skills centre stage. Their determination is exemplary and should act as an inspiration to anyone who wants to learn new skills and not only increase their own prospects, but those of the economy as well.”
Stephen Gardner, Director of Apprenticeships, Learning and Skills Council says:
“The commitment and foresight of all these exceptional employers is tremendous, not only in improving their business performance but also in giving talented people the opportunity to achieve their goals.
“If our businesses are to compete in a global market, we must address skills shortages at home. The Apprenticeship Awards truly celebrate the range and depth of skill, enthusiasm and dedication across so many industries. These Awards make plain the contribution that UK businesses are making to raise skills levels and improve productivity and competitiveness nationally. The quality of entries for this year’s Awards was astounding and not only these excellent winners, but all the finalists deserve to be recognised for making it through to this stage. ”
This year’s Awards attracted a record number of entries, with almost 1,400 individuals and companies all over England vying to be named Apprentice or Employer of the Year at this evening’s ceremony.
To find out more about Apprenticeships, visit
apprenticeships.org.uk or call 08000 150 400.
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