Apprentices, their families and colleagues came together on Friday night to celebrate in style as the Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards made its grand return at Truro and Penwith College in partnership with DL Accounts Ltd.

Holly Day and Neil Caddy from Pirate FM presented the Awards with support from Cornwall-wide business sponsors while judging the awards was a panel made up of industry leaders from a range of large and medium Cornish employers.

2021 was a very successful year for learners from Truro and Penwith College as 11 of the Ofsted Outstanding College’s Apprentices came out on top in the 14 Apprentice categories.

The Community Champion Award was one of two new categories introduced this year.

Sponsored by Combined Tree Services – The Tree Surgeons, the Award looks to recognise learners who have made exceptional contributions to their employer and the local community throughout the pandemic.

Lilah-Mae Pollard from Truro and Penwith College and Coastline Housing won the Award after volunteering to work on the frontline in one of Coastline’s care homes after being furloughed from her Administration Apprenticeship role.

The Large Apprenticeship Employer of the Year award was sponsored by FootAnstey LLP and won by Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) with its apprenticeship numbers growing by nearly three times since 2017 through a range of new apprenticeships including new degree level nursing programme developed with Truro and Penwith College.

RCHT has also donated some of its Apprenticeship Levy to help fund over 80 apprenticeships within Cornwall’s care and charity sectors.

Falmouth Packet: College Principal Martin Tucker opened proceedings and introduced the award hosts Neil Caddy and Holly Day from Pirate FM. College Principal Martin Tucker opened proceedings and introduced the award hosts Neil Caddy and Holly Day from Pirate FM.

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Cornwall’s Apprentice of the Year was named on the night as 17-year-old Motor Vehicle apprentice Lucas Allen from Matt Turner Mechanical Services.

Lucas earnt the admiration of judges having overcome a complex back operation in the 2019/20 academic year on top of supporting his mum who was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Successfully achieving his GCSEs Lucas went on to start his apprenticeship in July 2020 while continuing to support his mum and family with shopping and cooking while also finding time to study.

Speaking on the night about his win, Lucas said: "I didn’t know I was even nominated for the award so was quite shocked to get it.

"I love my apprenticeship. there’s a lot of responsibility for myself that I’m enjoying but also lots of support.

"I’d definitely recommend an apprenticeship.

Described as a ‘role model’ to young children the Apprentice Achiever of the Year 2021 was awarded to 17-year-old Leah Richards from Byrne Black Belt Academy.

The Achiever of the Year category is awarded to an Apprentice who has overcome adversity or some form of personal challenge to complete their Apprenticeship and is subject to a public vote that was heavily supported by the Awards Media Partner Cornwall Live.

Leah struggled with school and left College after one month but her personality shone through at her martial arts classes at the Academy, leading to her being offered an apprenticeship in Customer Service where she has excelled.

In addition to the new Community Champion award, this year also saw the addition of the Health, Care and Public Services Apprentice of the Year category, sponsored by Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust.

Falmouth Packet: The Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards saw the College’s Fal building transformed into a stunning event venueThe Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards saw the College’s Fal building transformed into a stunning event venue

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The Award was won by Alison Richardson from Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust for showing great motivation on her journey to becoming a Registered Nurse through the apprenticeship route, receiving nominations for multiple workplace awards due to her work ethic and compassion whilst caring for acutely unwell patients.

Speaking after the event, Martin Tucker, Principal of Truro and Penwith College, which hosted the Awards, commented: "We were delighted to host the sixth Annual Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards and to celebrate exceptional achievement and outcomes in Apprenticeship training across Cornwall.

"I’d like to give special thanks to our sponsors, without whom the event simply wouldn’t be possible and we are incredibly grateful for their support.

"I’m pleased that 2021 sees the addition of the Health, Care and Public Services Apprentice of the Year Award to give focus to exciting apprenticeship developments in these areas and highlight the vital role they have played in recent times, and the Community Champion category to recognise exceptional contributions throughout the pandemic.

"The College’s Apprenticeship provision continues to rapidly expand to provide workplace experience and qualifications up to degree level.

"Quality of experience and of outcomes continues to be our focus and the latest data from the Department for Education demonstrates that Truro and Penwith College is in the top 10% of all college Apprenticeship providers nationally, with achievement rates more than 17% above the national average of all providers in the UK."

Siobhan Lawrence from Award Partners DL Accounts Ltd said: "DL Accounts Ltd know from our own experience the value that apprentices bring to a business.

"We feel honoured in helping to employ and train the future generation of learners and workers.

"We are delighted to support this year’s Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards to celebrate the exceptional achievement and contribution of both learners and employers involved in Apprenticeship training."

Falmouth Packet: Smiles of pride – All the category winners and shortlisted nominees were delighted to have their achievements recognized on the night. Smiles of pride – All the category winners and shortlisted nominees were delighted to have their achievements recognized on the night.

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Other category winners on the night included: Hospitality Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by St Austell Family Group – Aimee Kent from The Victoria Inn, Threemilestone.

Accountancy Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by Whyfield – Joshua Barden from DL Accounts Ltd.

Construction and Trade Occupations Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by A&P Williams Ltd – Rory Winch from Duchy Timber Buildings.

Digital and IT Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by Falmouth Exeter Plus – Hugh Gibbard from Cornwall Council.

Business Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by Inn Cornwall – Leah Richards from Byrne Black Belt Academy.

Management Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by Cornwall & Isles of Scilly Skills Hub – Emily Stanbury from Falmouth Exeter Plus.

Marketing Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by Ginga Business Consultancy – Maisy-Sky Lumbers from Penlee House Gallery & Museum and Penzance Council.

Hair and Beauty Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by VTCT – Brooke Sharkey from Cutting Edge.

Motor Vehicle Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by Steve Andrews Tyres – Lucas Allen from Matt Turner Mechanical Services.

Engineering and Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by Cornwall Space and Aerospace Technology Training Project – Sam Weedon from Daften Die-Casting and Land-based Apprentice of the Year – Sponsored by Combined Tree Services – Tree Surgeons Ltd – Luke Bradley from Bradley Farm Partnership.