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
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