Ufi at Semta Skills Awards #SemtaAwards

Tonight’s event is to celebrate individuals and companies whose commitment to skills development is making a significant difference in their workplace, advanced manufacturing, and the engineering sector as a whole.

Thousands of entries were considered and the narrowing down process was only allowed to end with three finalists in each category.

Semta’s Chief Executive, Ann Watson, says;

We are extremely proud of these awards; to showcase each and every one of the fantastic individuals and organiations who have been shortlisted is an honour.

Here’s the shortlist…

Training Provider of the Year

• Grwp Llandrillo Menai

Have developed world-class learning environments and experiences for apprentices – at college and in the workplace.

• In-Comm Training

In the top 3% of best-performing private engineering training providers in the UK.

• Skills Training UK

Skills Training UK specialise in STEM productivity and business improvement.

Apprentice of the Year – SME Employer

• Christian Attewell

Christian has rapidly forged a path with FANUC UK Ltd that sees him stand out from the crowd.

• Kaylee McNally

The Arlington Automotive employee has contributed to creating a more diverse workforce and influenced other, both in and outside of the engineering sector.

• Zach Hampshire

In 30 years, Lambert have never seen a young apprentice with Zach’s determination to succeed.

Diversity in Engineering

• Coca-Cola European Partners

Be Yourself, Be Valued, Belong.

• BAE Systems Plc

Doubled women apprentice numbers to 26% since 2011.

• Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group

Marshall is dedicated to creating and maintaining a workplace where inclusion and diversity are core values.

SME Investment in Skills

• George Utz Ltd

“Technologies are easy to buy, it is people that grow the business.”

• Pentaxia Limited

Growing their own talent to meet with their future skills requirements.

• Superior Seals Ltd

Operates its very own company-run apprenticeship training academy and engineering workshop.

Apprentice of the Year – Large Employer

• Glen Fraser

The BAE System Plc (Naval Ships) Technician Apprentice was once told by a teacher that he was wasting his time trying to become an engineer.

• Leah Montgomery

The Rolls-Royce Engineering Apprentice had one goal – to become an engineer and turn her love of problem solving in to a career.

• Shelina Osman

Shelina’s determination to achieve has enabled her to unlock her potential in her Project Management Apprenticeship for Rolls-Royce.

Skills Innovation of the Year

• JLR’s ‘Supplier Exchange in Leading Lean Programme’

Bridging the skills gap between their own organisation and their suppliers.

• Bridgwater & Taunton College

Using technology to allow unskilled and untrained people to discover, experiment, and even fail in a safe nuclear environment.

• Toyota and Lexus Academy

A state-of-the-art training academy for retail and manufacturing & engineering functions.

Graduate or Degree Apprentice of the Year

• Ben Pullen

The Atkins Graduate Engineer was the first person in his family to graduate from university.

• Robyn Clarke

In 2016 she was selected as Toyota’s pioneer graduate apprentice and transferred from a maintenence role to quality assurance.

• Victoria Bayliss

The MBDA UK Ltd graduate labels herself as an ‘if I can do it, anyone can’ example to women considering joining the industy.

Skills Champion of the Year

• Gareth Jenkins

FSG Tool and Die Ltd’s Managing Director created ‘Pathways to Apprenticeships’ which allows companies to recruit from a central pool at no extra cost during the first year’s training. The programme has supported over 5,000 young people in to employment.

• Neil Burrows

Currently Head of Engineering at Themis at Burnley College, Neil has devoted his 25 years of his career to inspiring new generations of engineers.

• Steve Pallas

Nissan’s Training Manager has engaged over 40,000 pupils and also created (and now manages) the company’s Global Training Centre.