Apprentices are the big winners of award night

James Harper, who works at Aktrion Automotive in Wolverhampton, beat off the challenge of hundreds of his peers to be named as the In-Comm Training Outstanding Apprentice of the Year.

The budding engineer impressed judges with his commitment to lean manufacturing and his ability to save his employer money and improve efficiencies in the process.

Voestalpine Metsec's Steve Giles was Ambassador of the Year and bosses from Cannock-based RLS Tooling joined him on stage, with the latter claiming the 'Employer' title in recognition of its commitment to investing in young people.

Held at the Grand Station in Wolverhampton, the In-Comm Training and Business Services Awards are now in their fifth year and attracted more than 250 people to celebrate the importance of apprenticeships.

"We feel it is really important to celebrate the vocational learning route and recognise the achievements of young people who are gaining important skills whilst having a real tangible benefit to the companies they work for," explained Rebecca Phillips, joint managing director of In-Comm Training and Business Services.

"This awards scheme is the only one in the Midlands that celebrates apprentices working across business administration, professional services and engineering and manufacturing."

She continued: "We have had our best ever year for entries and that is reflected in the calibre of winners, who, as well as working towards their qualifications, have gone that extra mile to support others, do things differently and consistently meet performance targets.

"It's not just about celebrating our young people, that is just one element of the competition. There is also a desire to put the spotlight on the employers who invest thousands every year because they believe in 'growing their own' and the mentors/parents who provide the support network individuals need to succeed."

The In-Comm Training Awards – for the first time in five years – has enjoyed a major sponsor in the form of RBS, who put forward commercial director Dave Robinson to sit on a judging panel including Rachel Eade (Manufacturing Hub) and Gareth Jones (In-Comm).

Together they whittled down 250 entries and came up with a list of Winners on the evening, included:

* Jack Smith (Sprint Tool & Die): Most Improved Learner of the Year and Apprentice of the Year In-Comm Academy Engineering & Manufacturing Technologies (EMT)Intermediate

* Craig Hall (Craig & Derricott): Apprentice of the Year Supervisory Management

* James Harper & Reece Davies (both Aktrion Automotive): Apprentice of the Year Business Improvement Techniques

* Faye Matts (George Taylor & Co): Apprentice of the Year – Business Support Intermediate

* Bethany Griffiths (William Mitchell): Apprentice of the Year – Business Support Advanced

* Joshua Bradley (B Mason & Sons): Apprentice of the Year – EMT Advanced

* Dean Maritza and Joel Brown (RMD Kwikform): Apprentice of the Year – In-Comm Academy EMT Advanced

Bekki added: "B Mason & Sons, Bradken, Charter Automotive, Darlaston Rotary Club, George Taylor & Company, Made in the Midlands, Pro-Mil Engineering, Rical Group and Stechford Mouldings all contributed their time and some form of financial support to ensure the awards evening was such a huge success."