The Cornwall Group won two awards at this year’s Truro and Penwith College’s Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards, and was ‘Highly Commended’ in a further seven. The eighth Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards were held at the Eden Project on Friday February 9.
Ned Seabourne, who was crowned Accountancy Apprentice of the Year, said the award has improved his confidence and validates his efforts to make the most of his apprenticeship journey.
Ned explained: “I think apprenticeships are incredibly valuable to not only the company but mainly to the apprentice themselves. I like the freedom of working during the week earning money (rather than being at college) and having the weekends to choose what to do. It also opens a lot more opportunities long term and short term.”
HR and marketing manager Emma Harris, who walked away with the Workplace Mentor of the Year award, said she was honoured that her work was recognised because it means so much to the apprentices.
Emma said: “I’ve written offer letters for all of our nominees, printed their contracts, and seen their progress with each three-month review they have on our apprentice journey, so it’s easy to appreciate the impact they’ve had in their companies.
“Writing their nominations with their managers and MDs was an absolute pleasure, and having six selected as finalists for the Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards, I think shows the strength in our apprenticeship journey and the positive effect it’s had on our companies.”
Other recognised finalists included:
- Cornwall Group – Highly Commended Large Employer of Year
- Ashley Triggs – Highly Commended Construction and Trade Occupations Apprentice of the Year
- Brunel Bickerdike – Highly Commended Digital & IT Apprentice of the Year
- Josh Coopey – Highly Commended Digital & IT Apprentice of the Year
- Maisie Simpson – Highly Commended Marketing Apprentice of the Year
- Ruby Salmon – Highly Commended Engineering and Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year
- Maisie Simpson – Highly Commended Apprentice Achiever of the Year
Cornwall Group stated that around 20% of all of its employees joined via the apprenticeship programme, 95% of which have been with the group for over five years.
