Walsall College, employer partners and apprentices all recognised in Ladder for the Black Country Awards

There were celebrations all round when apprentices trained by Walsall College, employer partners and college representatives came together at the Ladder for the Black Country Awards in partnership with the Express & Star.

Apprentice of the Year award finalists trained by the college were:

Abbie Farr-Smith of Walsall Council – Professional Services Apprentice of the Year Award winner

Harrison Mapley of Star Scaffolding Litd –Construction and Property Apprentice of the Year Award winner

Joshua Cartwright of Dromafield Engineering Ltd – Engineering Apprentice of the Year Award finalist

Lauren Hewitt of Dudley Hospitals NHS Trust – Professional Services Apprentice of the Year Award finalist

Abbie who achieved the Level 4 Professional Accounting Technician Apprenticeship Standard was also named overall Apprentice of the Year.

“I was just really grateful to be nominated by the college,” she said.  “I’m also incredibly thankful to Walsall Council for giving me the opportunity to undertake this Apprenticeship. It has been both a challenging and rewarding experience, helping me to develop my knowledge of public finance and sharpen essential skills like communication, planning and problem-solving.

“It has been a stepping stone for me and I’m eager to continue growing both personally and professionally.”

Star Scaffolding Ltd who work with Construction College Midlands, part of Walsall College came away with the Medium Employer of the Year Award.

Emma Chard, Skills and Training Manager said: “We see all our apprentices as our employees of the future.

“We see it as a career for life and that’s how we want it to be and our retention rates are really high because of our ethos. We’re very proud and very honoured.”

Walsall College was also a finalist for the Education and Engagement Award.

More than 30 apprentices, training providers and employers were finalists in this year’s awards held at West Bromwich Albion’s The Hawthorns Stadium.

“The college couldn’t be prouder of Abbie, Harrison, Joshua and Lauren,” James Norris, Assistant Principal for Adults and Work-based Learning at the college.  “As award winners and finalists, they have shown what it means to be apprentices – individuals who are motivated, resilient, skilled and dedicated to their continuous learning.”

He added: “Congratulations also to Star Scaffolding for their ongoing investment in Apprenticeships and commitment to wider workforce training and development.

“All these success stories demonstrate just how valuable and vital Apprenticeships are to our business communities and the Black Country economy.”