A record 360 people attended this year’s Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards 2017 final on Thursday 16 November 2017.

30 of the county’s best apprentices, apprenticeship employers, schools and training providers were celebrated in a total of twelve categories at the Treetops Pavilion, West Midland Safari Park.

The prestigious awards are an initiative from Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and Worcestershire County Council, who launched the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards in 2014. This year, the audience were treated to a highly entertaining and funny awards ceremony thanks to the event host - Comedian and Radio 4 Star, Mark Watson.

The two top awards on the evening went to CP Foods UK from Kidderminster who won the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Employer of the Year award, sponsored by Yamazaki Mazak (UK) Ltd, and Ben Hyde from Sanctuary Group in Worcester who won the Worcestershire Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Worcester Bosch Group.

Each of the event’s 10 winners were awarded with a crystal engraved trophy, which were sponsored by local business Fortis Living.

Mark Watson, Comedian, Radio 4 Star and host of the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards 2017, said:

“Congratulations to all finalists and winners at this year’s Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards, it was a privilege to have been able to share such an entertaining event and lively atmosphere with you all.

It was a pleasure to host the awards and to celebrate the successes of all apprentices, as well as the employers, schools and training providers that dedicate their guidance and experience to them. It was great to see so much support for Worcestershire’s apprenticeships and I am very proud to have played a part in the awards.”

Gary Woodman, Chief Executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said:

“Well done to all of the finalists for the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards. As always, the awards were a fantastic celebration of the achievements of our county’s apprenticeships.

I would like to give my thanks to all of the sponsors who were involved in supporting the awards and to everyone across the county that help to make apprenticeships the success that they are.”

Cllr Marcus Hart, Cabinet Member with responsibility for Education and Skills at Worcestershire County Council, added:

“It was fantastic to see so much enthusiasm and support for apprenticeships at the awards ceremony.

It is clear that apprenticeships benefit our local workforce in so many ways and I would urge all interested businesses and young people to find out more about Worcestershire’s apprenticeships on the website, www.worcsapprenticeships.org.uk”

For further information on the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards 2017, visit the Worcestershire Apprenticeships website, www.worcsapprentices.org.uk and on Twitter using #WorcsApprentice