North West learners awarded for outstanding achievements’

(07.04.11) Apprentice and commercial course learners from the North West area have been awarded by training provider Alliance Learning for dedication to their learning development.

The Alliance Learning Annual Awards evening was held at De Vere Whites situated in the Reebok Stadium - home of Bolton Wanderers FC. The event was hosted by former GMTV Senior News Correspondent, Elaine Willcox, with an inspirational after dinner speech by Bernie Waldron - MBE Director of UK Manufacturing for MBDA UK Ltd. Over £860 was also raised in the charity raffle with all proceeds divided equally between Bolton Hospice and the Alzheimer's society.

The focal point of the evening was of course the deserving winners.

The highest accolade of the evening was the coveted Apprentice of the Year award, awarded to the individual who Alliance Learning feel has shown exceptional dedication to their learning development. This year's prize went to Bethan Sherbourne, who also picked up the award for Business Administration apprentice of the year for her outstanding development at European defence firm, MBDA UK Ltd.

The 20 year old from Bolton was described as a diligent, vibrant and motivated individual by her peers and a valuable asset to the company. Bethan received a cheque for £100 from Alliance Learning and will be the proud owner of this prestigious award for the next 12 months.

Other Apprentice winners on the night included, Charlotte Sudworth, 20, from Bolton for excelling in both her Apprenticeship and Advanced Apprenticeship in Children's Care Learning & Development.

The Electrical Engineering award was presented to 25 year old Alexander Kyriakides from Radcliffe, who is currently undertaking his Advanced Apprenticeship at Electrical Power Systems Ltd.

Alexander Briggs, 17, from Bury, was awarded the prize for Fabrication and Welding following a highly successful fabrication apprenticeship at William Hare Ltd.

The Mechanical Engineering apprentice of the year award went to 20 year old, Sean Ainscough from Wigan, who is currently working towards his Apprenticeship with Silcoms Ltd.

Gemma Davis, 19, from Warrington picked up the prize for Health & Social Care apprentice of the year for dedicated commitment to her placement at Warrington based Lime House care home.

The prestigious 'adult learner of the year' prize was awarded to Tracey Rocke- Lancaster, a Nursery Practitioner at The Village Playgroup, for completing both her NVQ Level 2 and her Advanced Apprenticeship in Children's Care Learning and Development.

The E-Learning award is presented to the adult learner Alliance Learning feel has excelled in the online aspects of their learning development. This year's recipient was Kate Catterall, a 23 year old NHS Ward Clerk from Atherton, who completed her IT User Skills, Level 2 ECDL and Level 2 Numeracy & Literacy through e-learning training with Alliance.

The Innovation Award is a brand new award to Alliance Learning that looks at learners who have excelled in their training field. The first recipient of this award was Bolton's Matthew Schofield; an Engineering Apprentice at MBDA UK Ltd who is currently working towards his Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering whilst also undertaking a HNC in Electrical/Electronic Engineering.

Paul Martin, 44, from Bolton was awarded the Special Achievement prize; given to an individual who has demonstrated considerable progress in gaining their qualifications.

Paul, a care worker from Starmount Villa, has achieved both his NVQ Level 2 + 3 in Health & Social Care whilst juggling other commitments.

The winner of the Engineering Academy Learner of the Year Award was 16 year old Joshua Whittaker from Derby High School in Bury. Joshua is currently working towards his NVQ Level 2 in Performing Engineering Operations and is due to complete in July 2011.

The Childcare Academy Award winner was 16 year old Lauren Hibbert, from Radcliffe Riverside School. Lauren is currently undertaking her Level 2 Technical Certificate in Children's Care and Education and has been described by her tutors as an individual who always brings a positive attitude to each and every lesson.

Alliance Learning started running the Programme Led Apprenticeships at the beginning of 2007. This programme was developed to meet the increased demand for Apprenticeship vacancies, and is ideal for learners that have perhaps found difficulty in gaining employment in an Apprenticeship role.The winner of this year's Engineering Programme Led Apprenticeship Learner of the Year was 18year old Adam Morgan from Bolton.

All the winners received a £50 cheque from Alliance Learning and some of them also received a personal award or bonus from their employers.  

Celebrating continued commitment to the training and development of its employees, the Company Award for Training and Development this year was won by Ascot Doors Ltd. The company, who has sites throughout the UK, is one of the largest independent manufacturers and installers of individually made-to-measure high performance retail, industrial and commercial doors. 

Ascot is recognised for their support of Apprenticeships and the young people of today as well as their firm dedication to commercial training. As a token of their appreciation, Alliance Learning has given Ascot Doors a credit note for £200, and a commemorative award.

The final award was one close to Alliance Learning's heart; the Jane Starr Employee of the Year award, justly named so after Jane Starr, an employee of Alliance Learning, who sadly passed away six years ago. The nominees for this award are always received with a warm applause from the audience and this year was no different.  

Unable to pick one winner, Steve Whitehead, Alliance Learning's Chief Executive, announced that this year there would be two winners sharing the honoured title of employee of the year. Senior Finance Assistant, Maureen Harrison and Learning Development Officer, Kim Bleasdale have a combined 37 years of service at the training centre and were praised for their professional and personable approach to their daily duties at Alliance Learning.

Commenting on the awards evening, Chief Executive Steve Whitehead, said: "I take great pride in chairing the Alliance Learning Awards and with each year that passes my admiration for the learners, the staff and their training companies, increases. Through tough economic times these awards have represented the sheer determination present within our local community and I am very honoured to be a part of that.

"We would like to thank to extend our thanks to our sponsors; MBDA UK Ltd, Veritas Safety Management and Keystone Distribution UK Ltd for their magnificent support".