Vocational learning in the spotlight as the West Midlands best apprentices revealed at In-Comm Awards

Tricrest’s Daleep Bhogal stole the show after being named as the ‘Peter Wood Outstanding Learner of the Year’ in front of over 350 people at the Grand Station in Wolverhampton

The trainee toolmaker, who will now spend a week Chrion in Germany as part of his prize, impressed judges with his thirst for continuous improvement and how far he has developed over the last twelve months.

He was joined on stage by five other apprentices, including FBC Manby Bowdler’s Dixie Whitten, Brandauer’s Oliver Eskriett, Lee Matthews (RMD Kwikform), Morgan Goule (Beacon Mouldings) and Tom Weaver of Frank Dudley Ltd.

There was also recognition for Lee Pearson of Salop Design for his ‘Contribution to Engineering’, with Lichfield’s IMI Precision Engineering beating off competition from 20 firms to land the ‘Company of the Year’ title.

“Vocational learning is finally being given the recognition it deserves and this year’s awards again highlighted the outstanding talent we are developing in the West Midlands,” explained Rebecca Phillips, joint Managing Director of In-Comm Training.

“We had over 250 entries this year, covering all aspects of engineering, manufacturing, business support and professional services. There were some fantastic stories of personal development, triumph over adversity and individuals starting to achieve their career ambitions.”

She continued: “It is also important to underline how important the role employers play in all of this. Without the companies investing time and money into creating the next generation of staff, the skills gap would be a lot wider.”

The In-Comm Training Awards, which are now in their sixth year, was backed by main sponsor Engineering Technology Group and other sponsors FBC Manby Bowdler, John Winter, Made in the Midlands, Mason, Moore Stephens, Royal Bank of Scotland and Stechford Mouldings.

An industry-led judging panel was responsible for choosing the eventual winners, with the prizes given out by music legend and railway enthusiast Pete Waterman.

Gareth Jones, joint managing director, added: “The introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy gives employers a great opportunity to shape the training provision they need, creating the skills and future employees they’re going to require to grow and succeed.

“Next year’s Awards will recognise this fact and will be heavily influenced by the trailblazers that are currently being designed.”

Full list of 2017 winners, includes:

Daleep Bhogal (Tricrest Limited) – In-Comm Academy Learner of the Year and Peter Wood Memorial Award Outstanding Learner of the Year

Oliver Eskriett – (Brandauer) – Learner of the Year Engineering Manufacturing & Technologies

Maurice Hill (Lariot) – Learner of the Year Business Improvement Techniques

Dixie Whitten (FBC Manby Bowdler) – Learner of the Year Business Support

Lee Matthews (RMD Kwikform) – Learner of the Year Supervisory Management

Lee Pearson (Salop Design & Engineering) – Contribution to Engineering

IMI Precision – Employer of the Year

Tom Weaver (Frank Dudley Limited) – Special Recognition Award

Morgan Goule (Beacon Mouldings) – Most Improved Learner

About In-Comm

In-Comm has been offering industry and commerce a wide range of training and business solutions for 35 years.

The firm has a proven track record of developing apprentices, with more than 1000 learners either completing or undertaking their learning at its centres in Aldridge and Shrewsbury.

It is also playing a key role in the launch of the £3m Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT), a state-of-the-art training hub in Bridgnorth that is being led by Classic Motor Cars, Grainger & Worrall and Salop Design & Engineering.