Two apprentices from Soham won top prizes at the Eastern Education Group apprenticeship awards ceremony.
The occasion took place at Edmunds Restaurant – housed in the grounds of West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds.
Oscar Synge from Soham is on a Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship at Glasswell and Last.
Oscar completed a Level 2 and Level 3 engineering apprenticeship at West Suffolk College. After gaining these qualifications, Oscar evaluated his options: “I did look into going to university at first, however at the time I was unsure of what route I wanted to pursue and didn’t want to make the commitment.
“But when I found the apprenticeship, I realised I could gain knowledge and experience while also working towards an additional qualification in an area of study that I’m relatively unfamiliar with, which is a challenge I’ve really embraced.”
He received the Advanced Apprentice of the Year award – an accolade Oscar said he was “extremely proud” to win.
The other Soham award winner was Ashton French.
The18 year old who works for Ivor Searle won the Intermediate Apprentice of the Year prize.
He said: “I was very surprised (to win). It will help me in the future. I chose this route as it is the best of both worlds (working and earning). I’d like to thank the college and work as they have been very supportive.”
Scott Jamieson works is the production manager at Ivor Searle. He said: “He is positive and determined and he has set a great example to others. I’m overwhelmed and proud of him. It’s a great partnership with the college.”
In addition to Oscar and Ashton, Claire Underwood and her team, from Lancaster Lodge Childcare in Ely won the Small Employer of the Year gong. Claire said: “We were honoured to get this award. Over the years we have taken on around 12 apprentices. The college has been really good. Winning was quite an achievement.”
Dr Nikos Savvas, the CEO of Eastern Education Group gave Holly her award. He said: “National Apprenticeship Week is a time to celebrate the life-changing impact apprenticeships have on individuals, businesses and communities.
“We are proud to recognise the outstanding achievements of apprentices across a wide range of industries, from construction, education and engineering to management, science, and healthcare.
“Massive congratulations to Oscar Ashton and Lancaster Lodge Childcare – and indeed all of our award winners.”
A total of eleven awards were dished out during this ceremony held in Edmunds Restaurant.
The overall winner was 44-year-old Laura Herrera-Martin, from Cambridge.
Laura is studying a Level 4 Associate Project Manager Apprenticeship alongside her role as a Service Improvement Manager at Cambridge City Council.
After hearing the news, Laura said she: “was absolutely over the moon.”
The main sponsors of these awards were E Rand and Sons.
For more information about apprenticeships at West Suffolk College and Eastern Education Group you can visit here: www.wsc.ac.uk/find-a-course/apprenticeships
