Showcasing the very best of business training across the south west, more than 150 people celebrated the achievements of apprentices, individuals and businesses at a festival-style awards evening.

The Excellence in Business Training Awards 2019, hosted by CCB Training (Cornwall College Business) and supported by Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Local Enterprise Partnership (Clos LEP), "was an inspiring evening", according to Simon Caklais, board member of Clos LEP.

He said: “We were delighted to be part of these celebrations, hearing the amazing stories of apprentices, individuals and businesses which reinforce our vision to achieve thriving businesses, growing and enriched workforce skills that improve infrastructure and economic distinctiveness in our region.”

The 12th annual Excellence in Business Training Awards recognised exceptional training and development in organisations across the south west; celebrating those companies that develop their staff through training and as a result have seen exceptional business successes.

Held at Cornish Tipi Weddings, this year saw double winners RG Kellow, based in Redruth, proudly accept the Young Apprentice of the Year – Levi Mitchell and the Skills Apprentices of the Year (19+years old) – Ross Harvey.

The Rural Apprentice of the Year award was won by a previous Bicton College and Duchy College Agriculture Business Management apprentice, Ben Edwards. Ben works at Begbeer Farm, Crediton for CH & RJ Jordan and Son.

Falmouth Business Pendennis Shipyard, won the Outstanding Commitment to Apprenticeships Large Business award.

Jenny Doble, chair of Penhalgon’s Friends presented the award on behalf of the judge Sharron Robbie, from the Devon & Cornwall Training Providers Network, who said it was “clear apprentices are integral to Pendennis’s company plans for the future”.

Elaine McMahon, Principal and Chief Executive of The Cornwall College Group, opened the evening and congratulated all nominees on their success.

Outstanding Commitment to Apprenticeships Small (1-50 employees)

Winner: Carefree

Runners-up: St Austell Town Council; Whyfield

Outstanding Commitment to Apprenticeships Medium (51-249 employees)

Winner: West Pharmaceutical Services

Runners-up: Baker Toms; Ocean Housing Group

Outstanding Commitment to Apprenticeships Large (250+ employees)

Winner: Pendennis Shipyard

Runners-up: Corserv Group; Eden Project

Young Apprentice of the Year (16-18 years old)

Winner: Levi Mitchell - RG Kellow

Runners-up: Amber Fry – Seasalt Cornwall; Jai Clemes - West Pharmaceutical Service

Professional Apprentice of the Year (19+ years old)

Winner: Kelly O’Toole – Royal Cornwall Hospital Trust

Runners-up: Charlie Penhaligon - RRL; Joseph Meridew – Seasalt Cornwall

Skills Apprentice of the Year (19+ years old)

Winner: Ross Harvey – RG Kellow

Runners-up: Cook – Babcock International; Lauren Carlyon– DS Smith Packaging

Rural Apprentice of the Year (19+ years old)

Sponsored by CCB Training

Winner: Ben Edwards - CH & RJ Jordan and Son

Runners-up: Ben Watts – Cormac Solutions; Megan Lowman – Eden Project

Outstanding Commitment to Training Small (1 – 50 Employees)

Winner: Hodgsons

Runners-up: RG Kellow; Whyfield

Outstanding Commitment to Training Medium/Large (51+ employees)

Winner: Ocean Housing Group

Runners-up: A&P Falmouth; Pendennis Shipyard

Individual Champion to Staff Development

Winner: Janine Laity - Frugi

Runners-up: James Hampton – Seasalt Cornwall; Michelle Pearce - RRL