Exeter College Apprentice Ella is South West Finalist for National Awards

The National Apprenticeship Awards celebrate the best Apprentices, committed Apprenticeship employers and individuals who go above and beyond to champion Apprenticeships across England.

The national awards identify and commend incredible achievements and challenge applicants to show how Apprenticeships have made a difference to their organisations and their careers.

From over 1,000 applications, Exeter College Apprentice Ella is one of 48 Apprentices and ‘Apprentice Champions’ to have been announced as a regional finalist across England.

Ella, who lives in Exeter, but is originally from Ottery St Mary, has been recognised as one of the best in the South West for the work she has done for Apprenticeships, the impact she makes and the impact her Apprenticeship has had on her career.

Ella, 21, said: “After three years of commitment to Apprenticeships and to my various roles within the Apprenticeship world, it is amazing to receive this recognition. To be named the South West Apprentice of the Year would be incredible.”

Mike Blakeley, Director of Apprenticeships and Employer Engagement at Exeter College, said: “The positive impact Ella creates is remarkable. So much so, people often associate Exeter College’s Apprenticeships with her more than myself, an imbalance I actively promote.

Seeing the younger generation develop and flourish within our organisation is key for us all and Ella’s nomination is testimony to the hard work and endeavour she puts in to everything she does.”

Currently studying a Higher Level Apprenticeship in Digital Marketing, Ella has gone from strength to strength in the last three years of employment at Exeter College. In May this year Ella won ‘Apprentice and Young Employee of the Year’ at the Pride of Devon Awards.

She is also the chairperson of the Devon, Cornwall and Somerset Young Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, a national government initiative in which young people use their own Apprenticeship experiences to inform and inspire as positive advocates for young people beginning their employment.

Following the exposure and recognition of the awards, previous winners have gone on to become inspirational speakers for national events, appeared in campaigns and progressed considerably in their employment.

The South West finals will be held at DoubleTree by Hilton Cadbury House, in Bristol, in September and the winners will have the chance to contest as national winners.