Female apprentice wins at NES Learners First Awards

Female apprentice wins at NES Learners First Awards

Rachael Hoyle has won the Advanced Apprenticeship category at the 2008 National Employer Service (NES) Learners First Awards held at Alton Towers on 3rd April 2008. In what was a big night for the engineering sector, fellow engineer Nick Waites was named runner-up in the Advanced Apprenticeship category award in recognition for his achievements as an apprentice with Selex S&AS Ltd. in Basildon.

Rachael was singled out for her skills and achievements as an apprentice at BAE Systems in Lancashire. She is currently working towards her BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering at Manchester Metropolitan University.

“I wanted a career where each day would be different and I could problem solve and continue to develop my skills,” said Rachael. “When I came across Apprenticeships, I jumped at the chance to be able to learn from people who are experts in their field and who would be more than happy to pass their knowledge on. What was more I could continue to learn while I worked.”

The event was hosted by former British Champion hurdler Colin Jackson. Colin said: “I know from my own experience that the sheer desire and effort made to constantly improve your performance is pivotal to success. The winners and finalists have clearly demonstrated this, so it has been a privilege to be able to pay tribute to their outstanding achievements."

The NES, part of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), supports large, national multi-site employers to offer a range of accredited, in-house, work-based learning programmes to their employees. These include Skills for Life and NVQs at Level 2 and 3 (Train to Gain) and Apprenticeships.

The Learners First Awards recognise the achievements of individuals employed by large (5000+ employees) businesses who hold training contracts with NES. These learners have excelled in their work-based learning programmes, and many of them have overcome significant challenges to do so. The awards also recognise the achievements of their employers who, by making and fulfilling their Skills Pledge and supporting their employees, have demonstrated their commitment to skills development in their workplace.

Hilary Chadwick, Director of the NES, said: “These winners demonstrate the significant returns that can be gained by individuals who step their learning up a level to meet new challenges. They are a true inspiration to anyone striving to succeed in their chosen career. I also want to congratulate the employers who have succeeded in designing and delivering excellent in-house programmes to improve their business performance.”

Five further award winners were announced:

• Ashley Rowe - Apprenticeship Awards (sponsored by the Employability and Skills Group)
• Colin Hamilton - Personal Achievement Award (sponsored by Tesco)
• Glenys Finney - Skills for Life Award (sponsored by Sainsburys)
• Stuart Borowik - Train to Gain (sponsored by Center Parcs)
• Veolia - Employer of the Year category (sponsored by City & Guilds)

The Premier Sponsor of this year’s awards was Veolia Environnement Development Centre Ltd. The Advanced Apprenticeship Award was sponsored by Whitbread Group plc.

- ENDS -

For further media information and photography please contact:

Hill & Knowlton

Sandhya Shyam

0207 973 4446

Sandhya.Shyam@hillandknowlton.com

Notes to editors:

The National Employer Service (NES) supports employers with more than 5000 employees to make and fulfil their Skills Pledge, and to offer nationally accredited inhouse training to their people. The team also manages the performance of work-place learning contracts with the LSC’s largest national training providers. NES contracts with more than 80 large employers, and 1 in 5 Apprenticeships and 1 in 10 Train to Gain learners are supported by NES funding agreements.

Learning and Skills Council:

The LSC exists to make England better skilled and more competitive. We are responsible for ensuring the availability of high-quality education and training for everyone. We have a single goal: to improve the skills of England’s young people and adults to world class standards. Our vision is that young people and adults in England have knowledge and skills matching the best in the world and are part of a truly competitive workforce. We work nationally, regionally and locally to deliver this ambition on behalf of learners and employers.

Skills campaign:

In July 2007, the LSC and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) launched the skills campaign. The campaign - Our future. It’s in our hands - urges people to take control of their future by investing in skills. It is the most ambitious marketing and communications campaign of its kind. and over a three to five year period aims to bring about the cultural change needed to improve the attitudes and aspirations of employers and individuals to learning and skills across England.

Skills Pledge:

Officially launched by the Government on 14 June 2007, the aim of the Skills Pledge is to ensure all staff are skilled, competent and able to fully contribute in the work place.

Led by the Learning and Skills Council, the Skills Pledge is a voluntary public commitment by the leadership of a company or organisation to support all employees gain skills for personal growth and enhance business productivity. Essential to the Skills Pledge is the achievement of basic skills in literacy and numeracy - as well as helping employees work towards relevant qualifications to at least Level 2 (the equivalent of five good GCSEs).