Awards Evening 2020: Highly Commended Apprentices Announced

In normal circumstances, we invite apprentices and employers from across the North West to attend our Annual Awards Evening to celebrate the achievements made over the past year, recognising and rewarding their hard-work commitment.

Due to Government guidelines with regards to social distancing amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, and to ensure the safety of apprentices, employers and staff; we made the decision to postpone the Annual Awards Evening.

Despite this, we did not want to forget the achievements of those apprentices that were nominated for an award prior to the suspension of the evening. It is for this reason we decided to award those apprentices with a ‘Highly Commended’ certificate which they can add to their professional portfolio.

Here is the list of the different categories along with the apprentices who were nominated:

Gemma Bleakley The Owls Nursery
Business Admin / Customer Service Apprentice of the Year Award:
Abigail Adamson, Aptus Utilities
Arden Howkins, University of Bolton
Declan Whorlow, Age UK Bolton
 

Early Years / Childcare Apprentice of the Year Award:
Jessica Mills, Future Champions Nursery
Gemma Bleakley, The Owls Nursery
Ebony Blakemore, Little Rainbows 1

Business Management Apprentice of the Year Award:
Diane Eckersley, Backup Northwest
Simon Booth, University of Bolton

Electrical / Maintenance Engineering Apprentice of the Year Award:
Haris Kamal, Krones UK

Mechanical Engineering Apprentice of the Year Award:
James Wilson, BOBST

Gemma Bleakley The Owls Nursery

Fabrication & Welding Apprentice of the Year Award:
Liam Massey, Bolton NDT

Business Management Rising Star Award:
Marcus Holden, TFGM

Early Years / Childcare Rising Star Award:
Hannah Menzies, Nazarene Kindergarten
Katy Kennedy, Tower View Nursery

Electrical / Maintenance Engineering Rising Star Award:
Ashik Patel, Warburtons
Sam Wilkinson, Krones UK

Fabrication & Welding Rising Star Award:
Kallum Russell, BD Structures

Positive Contribution Award
Thea Compton-Jones, Compassion in Action
Thomas Brookes, Pooltech


Chief Executive of Alliance Learning, Kelly Perkin, had the following comments:

“2019–2020 has been a difficult year for business, apprentices, employers and employees in light of the Covid-19 Pandemic. In spite of the difficulties of the National Lockdown, I am pleased to say that on 31st March 2020, Alliance Learning became part of the University of Bolton Group. Building on our existing strategic partnership, this has allowed us to invest in what matters most to us; our learners, employers, customers, staff and regional industry.

Also, due to the amazing efforts of #TeamAlliance, we were able to continue to deliver online training and support our apprentices during the national lockdown. Utilising online technologies, we were able to ensure that our learners could achieve their apprenticeship and sit their end point assessments. I am pleased to say these have shown some amazing results, with several distinctions, demonstrating the huge commitment and dedication our apprentices and staff show to high quality training.

Whilst it is disappointing we have not been able to host our Annual Awards Evening, it is important to recognise the incredible efforts of our staff, apprentices and their employers who continue to support these incredible learners as they achieve and continue their careers. I would personally like to thank our #TeamAlliance staff and congratulate all apprentices and learners who have been nominated. With over 500 apprentices on our programmes, you have been identified as a shining star and should be very proud!

Hopefully we will be able to resume our Annual Awards Evening in the near future, however, in the meantime, please stay safe and take care.”