SOME of Worcestershire’s best apprentices, employers, training providers and schools have reached the shortlist for the Worcestershire Apprentice Awards 2016.

Finalists for each award, businesses and guests will attend the event on Thursday, November 17 at the Tree Tops Pavilion, West Midland Safari Park where the winners in each category will be announced. The awards will be presented by the winner of the first series of BBC’s The Apprentice, Tim Campbell and promise to be even bigger and better than last year’s awards which saw over 300 people in attendance.

A total of twelve awards will be given out to this year’s winners and as well as awards that recognise the apprentices and their employers, three of the categories to be awarded to celebrate those who support apprentices. These are: School of the Year, Training Provider of the Year and Apprentice Ambassador of the Year.

Gary Woodman, chief executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “Worcestershire’s apprentices benefit from a great level of support from local schools, training providers and those who are absolute apprenticeship ambassadors. These three awards highlight the fantastic support networks available and congratulations to the finalists. Our dedicated local support enables our younger generations to access high-quality apprenticeships and create a bright working future for both apprentices and the county."

Cllr Dr Ken Pollock, cabinet member with responsibility for economy, skills and infrastructure at Worcestershire County Council, added: “Worcestershire’s apprentices are given a tremendous amount of support to succeed in the workplace and I look forward to celebrating the work of some of the county’s greatest schools, training providers and apprenticeship ambassadors as well as the achievements of the apprentices and employers.

Tables have now gone on sale and spaces at the high-profile event are limited. Seats cost £85 each and a table of 10 can be bought for £800. A full list of finalists for all 10 categories has been announced and can be found on the Worcestershire Apprenticeships website: www.worcsapprenticeships.org.uk/apprenticeship-awards/.