Apprentices Shine in Awards

Apprentices from the Council’s flagship ‘A-Team’ are being given the chance to shine in a national competition in London this week, hot on the heels of their own prestigious awards.

Three A-Team apprentices were crowned ‘Apprentice of the Year’ out of 16 hopefuls during the Council’s awards in Middlewich last week. The winners were Emma Parsons, 20, James Patterson,18 and Amy Rowe, 21.

Judges were drawn from the North West business community as well as the Council and were led by Melanie Bryan OBE.

The evening welcomed special guests MP Fiona Bruce and Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, David Briggs MBE, who are both ‘A-Team Champions’, as well as representatives from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service

Now, winning apprentice Amy Rowe, from Cheshire East Council’s communications and media relations team, will go head to head against apprentices from big firms such as BAM Nutall Ltd, Thomas Cook Group Plc and McCann Manchester, as part of the Training Journal’s Best Apprenticeship Programme in London this week. The winners will be announced in November.

Leader of Cheshire East Council, Councillor Michael Jones, said: “I am extremely proud of our apprentices and admire their energy, creativity and determination to succeed. 

“They make a big contribution to the Council, working alongside officers to deliver a huge range of services.

“These range from finance and fleet management to welcoming visitors at Tatton Park farm.

“The apprentices give each other a great deal of support as they all develop their skills and knowledge in a positive learning environment.”

Mayor of Cheshire East Council, Councillor George Walton, added: “Being part of the Council’s A-Team Apprenticeship Scheme is very special.

“Many of us remember people who helped us in our careers and sometimes all a young person needs is a chance to shine - and the A-Team does just that.”

The Council has a number of apprentices who spread their time across the Council as well as local companies and organisations. 

The Council’s A-Team scheme can offer small to medium-sized enterprises an A-Team Apprentice with support from the Council. The Council currently has 74 apprentices.

• Organisations or individuals who would like to find out more about the Cheshire East A-Team can speak to officers Ben Whitter or Susan Malec at the Cheshire East Apprenticeship Scheme on: 01270 686587 or alternatively email: apprenticeships@cheshireeast.gov.uk