TWENTY-four of the county's best apprentices, employers, training providers and schools have been announced as finalists at the Worcestershire Apprentice Awards 2016.

Following impressive nominations across all 10 awards, this year’s finalists once again represent the exceptional work of apprentices and those who support Worcestershire’s young talent.

Finalists for each award, businesses and guests will attend the award ceremony on Thursday, November 17, at West Midland Safari Park.

The awards will be presented by business owner and winner of the first series of BBC’s The Apprentice, Tim Campbell MBE, and promise to be even bigger and better than last year’s awards which saw over 300 people in attendance.

The popular celebration event will culminate in the two overall awards of Apprenticeship Employer of the Year, which is sponsored by Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd. and Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by the Worcester Bosch Group, to recognise outstanding achievement.

Tables have now gone on sale and spaces at the high-profile event are limited. Seats cost £85 each and a table of ten can be bought for £800.

Gary Woodman, chief executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Once again we have received some excellent entries that really highlight the fantastic impact that apprenticeships have on our local workforce as well as the overwhelming support available to apprentices.

"I would like to congratulate this year’s awards finalists for their achievement in reaching the final, which is a great achievement, and any businesses who are considering employing an apprentice in the future can find a wealth of information at worcsapprenticeships.org.uk.”

Cllr Dr Ken Pollock of Worcestershire County Council, said: “The Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards display the many high-quality apprenticeship places available to our county’s apprentices as well as their fantastic achievements.

"Congratulations to everyone who was nominated and to all the finalists and I look forward to the awards evening. This is always a popular event and I would therefore encourage those who wish to attend to secure their seats or tables for the awards as soon as possible.”

The finalists 2016.

School of the year, sponsored by The Development Manager Ltd: Droitwich Spa High School; Hanley Castle High School, Malvern; King Charles I School, Kidderminster.

Training Provider of the Year, sponsored by Worcestershire Training Provider Association: The Development Manager Ltd, Bewdley; Kidderminster College.

Newcomer Apprenticeship Employer of the Year, sponsored by Apprentices in Business: Minster Micro Computers, Kidderminster; VAX, Droitwich.

Small Apprenticeship Employer of the Year, sponsored by Titania: Matthews Construction, Worcester; ISO Quality Services Ltd, Worcester.

Medium Apprenticeship Employer of the Year, sponsored by Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce: CP Food UK Ltd, Kidderminster; DRP, Kidderminster.

Large Apprenticeship Employer of the Year sponsored by Sanctuary Group: Worcester Bosch Group, Worcester; Bromsgrove School.

Intermediate level apprentice of the year, sponsored by eResponse Recruitment: Christina Trouton, Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust; Justin McKeon, Malvern Instruments, Malvern; Jamie Stampe, The Hop Pole, Bewdley.

Advanced level apprentice of the year, sponsored by Ormerod Rutter Chartered Accountants: George Stephens, Mettis Aerospace, Redditch; Pippa Dressler-Pearson, Southco Ltd, Worcester; Christian Warwick Frost, Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd, Worcester.

Higher level apprentice of the year , sponsored by Morgan Motor Company, Malvern: Alex Tyrer, Sanctuary Group, Worcester; Jessica Morris, Bishop Fleming, Worcester; Evangelene Brookes, Community Housing Group, Kidderminster.

Apprentice Ambassador of the Year, sponsored by the Training Academy: Jennifer Appleton, ISO Quality Services Ltd, Worcester, Dave Barnett, Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd, Worcester.