Two apprentices named among best in country

Left, Zeena Cala, who works at the National Apprenticeship Service, with Nicole Covey, who works at IBM in Portsmouth

Nicole Covey won The Nuclear Decommissioning Site Licence Companies Award for the Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year and Acacia Hayles was highly commended in the EAL Award for Advanced Apprentice of the Year.

The two women were among the top apprentices and employers from London and the south east, announced at the regional round of the National Apprenticeship Awards 2016.

The awards, now in their 13th year, showcase success stories and the benefits of apprenticeships across England.

Acacia Hayles at IBM who was Highly Commended in the Advanced level

Businesses and apprentices fought off competition by demonstrating how employers are growing their own talent with apprenticeships and how apprentices make a significant contribution to their workplaces.

Nicole said: ‘An apprenticeship has enabled me to start building the foundations of my career while continuing to learn and work towards recognised qualifications.

‘It has meant I have grown and developed in all aspects, and built not only technical skills but professional and personal skills as well.

‘I now aim to climb the career ladder as high as I possibly can, and continue to challenge and develop myself so that I reach my full potential.

‘Without the apprenticeship I would not have the skills, knowledge or confidence that I have today. If I could go back I would do it all again.’

The winners and highly-commended entries for both apprentices and employers were announced at an awards ceremony held at St Paul’s, Aldersgate Conference Centre, London.

National award winners and the Top 100 Employers will be announced at a ceremony held on January 20.