Proskills Awards 2010
The Proskills UK Group comprises of Proskills UK, the Sector Skills Council for the Process & Manufacturing sector and the National Skills Academy for Materials Production and Supply. Together they represent the interests of 9 key industries which make up a third of UK manufacturing sector.
The awards now being in their fourth year, are run by Proskills and its Academy, the Awards celebrated the achievements of apprentices and their employers.
Commenting on the Awards, Chief Executive of Proskills UK, Terry Watts said, "We have again been amazed by the accomplishments of the finalists who have shown what exceptional talent we have within the UK workforce and Without exception all our finalists have made outstanding use of the opportunities presented to them.”
"Each finalist should be very proud of the achievements that they have made and the remarkable impact they are having in their workplaces".
This year the awards have increased from three to seven award categories, with a selection of categories aimed at recognising the efforts made specifically by employers. The seven categories include; Advanced Apprentice of the Year, Apprentice of the Year and Achiever of the Year, Learner of the Year, Employer of the Year, Training Provider of the Year and Union Rep Learner of the Year.
The awards acknowledge and celebrate apprentices and employers commitment to their work, development and to the outstanding contribution that they have made to their workplace.
Winners
1. Advanced Apprentice of the Year
Winner: Ashley Allison, Chesapeake
Winner: Steven Harris, Aylesford Newsprint
Finalist: Zakariyya Holgate, Hanson Cement
2. Apprentice of the Year
Winner: Sam Williams, Johnson Tiles
Winner: Colin Dewhurst, Pilkington
Finalist: Ross Delgado, DS Smith
3. Achiever of the Year
Winner: Adam Rogers, Manchester Board & Fittings
4. Learner of the Year
Winner: John Clements, DS Smith
Finalist: Adam Rogers, Manchester Board & fittings
Finalist: Rhian Johns, Print and Graphics
5. Employer of the Year
Winner: Johnson Tiles
Finalist: Ideal Standard International
Finalist: Axiom Displays
6. Training Provider of the Year
Winner: SERAC
Finalist: North Lancs Training Group Ltd
Finalist: Waterside Training Ltd
7. Union learning Rep of the Year
Winner: Ronald Munro, Mines Rescue Service
Finalist: Timothy Heward, Glatfelter Lydney
Recognition in sector for outstanding contribution
The Proskills Awards 2010, held on November 4 at Alton Towers, celebrated the achievements made by individuals and companies in training and up-skilling within the Process and Manufacturing Sector.
The ‘Outstanding Contribution’ award category was focused on recognising the personal dedication to improving the standards of training within an industry. After much deliberation, there were two candidates from which a single winner could not be separated.
The award was won by Hefin Jones of Aggregate Industries and Bernard Rutter, who has recently retired from playing a key role at Unite the Union. Commenting on the achievements of the winners was Terry watts, CEO of Proskills, “The effort both Hefin and Bernard have put in to improving both their industries and sector, over many years is remarkable, and this award for an Outstanding Contribution is a way of recognising this and showing the appreciation of the process and manufacturing sector”.
Hefin has been involved in the sector for 37 years and has supported the development of skill for all that time, establishing new qualifications and approaches for his company and the wider industry. Most recently he has been working with colleagues on National Occupational Standards reviews, and was the first to drive a company developed qualification unit onto the new Qualification and Credit Framework (QCF) in the sector. A very proactive, and hugely respected member of both the E&MP and Building Products Qualification Reform Groups for Proskills
Joint winner Bernard Rutter has spent an amazing 54 years as part of Unite the Union, during this time Bernard held the position of Branch Secretary of both the Lincoln and Sherwood Forest Branch, spending 10 years on the Executive Council of the Union as well as being a highly regarded member of the Proskills Board since its inception in 2002.
Terry Watts continued “The Awards recognise and celebrate the hard work, commitment and achievement of apprentices, employers, training providers and union representatives – all of whom make an outstanding contribution to our industries on a daily basis.”
