Themis honours inspiring employers and apprentices

Themis, the apprenticeship training arm of Burnley College, hosted its annual awards, honouring apprentices and their employers.

The Themis Inspire and Achieve Awards 2023 ceremony was held at Burnley Football Club and with around 200 nominees, their family and friends, distinguished guests in attendance.

Lancashire entrepreneur Antony Chesworth, founder of EKM Systems, gave an inspiring speech on the power of doing “something you like” and how positivity fuels success.

Burnley MP Antony Higginbotham gave an address which praied the “commitment, resilience, skill and innovation” on display.

Winners received a Themis-designed trophy, sponsored by Optimill Ltd and Mazak, and a state-of-the-art laptop from sustainable energy experts Green Shield Group, who were guests of honour on the night.

Karen Buchanan, chief executive of Themis and principal of Burnley College, said: "The Themis Inspire and Achieve Awards are a highlight in the apprenticeship calendar and it was an honour to recognise those amazing apprentices and employers in the fabulous surroundings of Turf Moor.

“Competition this year was tougher than ever, with a record number of nominees and shortlisted finalists. It made the judges’ job of choosing the winners incredibly difficult.

“Themis is proud of its track record in supporting the development of the very best Apprentices in the region – the Apprentices who go on to be a #futureboss and who make an incredible impact in the workplace."

FULL LIST OF WINNERS

GOLD APPRENTICE AWARD

• Madison Smithies, Burnley – GRC Engineering - WINNER
• Ellie-Jo Smith, Nelson - Clearly Interiors Ltd – HIGHLY COMMENDED
• Leah Mills, Nelson - Greenarc Fuel Cards Ltd
• Elicia Swaine, Burnley – Chez Nanny Nursery

PLATINUM APPRENTICE AWARD

• Ella Beardsworth, Bacup - Pipeline Induction Heat Ltd - WINNER
• Emily O'Keefe, Burnley – Calico, Safenet – HIGHLY COMMENDED
• Cameron Wilkins, Burnley - HycAero – HIGHLY COMMENDED
• Ellis Walne, Bacup – Essity UK Ltd
• Rachel Lake, Todmorden – HycAero

FUTURE BOSS AWARD

• Leah Mills, Nelson - Greenarc Fuel Cards Ltd - WINNER
• Leonie Greenwood, Hebden Bridge – Weir Minerals – HIGHLY COMMEDED
• Rachel Lake, Todmorden – HycAero

INNOVATOR AWARD

• Cameron Wilkins, Burnley – HycAero – WINNER
• Ellis Walne, Bacup – Essity UK Ltd – HIGHLY COMMENDED
• Ella Beardsworth, Bacup - Pipeline Induction Heat Ltd
• Harry Wilkinson, Clitheroe – Fort Vale Engineering

DEVELOPING THE FUTURE AWARD

• Toni Whittaker, Bacup- Bright Futures Nursery School - WINNER
• Charley Beckett, Barnoldswick - Lakeview Children’s Nursery
• Georgia Ludlow, Bacup – Bright Futures Nursery School

ULTIMATE VISION AWARD

• Matthew Rimmer, Liverpool – AJM Furniture - WINNER
• Liam Robinson, Rossendale - Homesafe Group, Ecotect
• Matthew Sowerby, Burnley – Dale Contractors Ltd

SPORT & FITNESS AWARD

• Caitlin Iannelli, Todmorden – Fitness Evolution - WINNER
• Kaya Plant, Colne – Burnley Leisure – HIGHLY COMMENDED
• Olivia Brown, Burnley - Burnley Leisure
• J’enna Carter Hall, Clitheroe – Roefield Leisure

DEGREE APPRENTICE AWARD

• Joshua Sweeney, Bacup - GHA Solutions - WINNER
• Mathew Illingworth, Leeds - De Puy (Cogent Skills)
• Jessica Lloyd, Hereford - De Puy (Cogent Skills)

DIGITAL PIONEER AWARD

• Eleanor Eccles, Oswaldtwistle – Pets Choice - WINNER
• Muhammad Y Mulla – Burnley College – HIGHLY COMMENDED
• Joshua Sweeney, Bacup - GHA Solutions

SUSTAINABILITY AWARD

• Holly Lund, Colne – Equestrian Surfaces Ltd - WINNER
• Curtis Wilson – Burnley College

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD - UP TO 50 EMPLOYEES

• Bright Futures Nursery School
• ESP Play/Quest Electrical
• Onward
• Pets Choice

EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR AWARD – OVER 50 EMPLOYEES

• HycAero – HIGHLY COMMENDED
• Paradigm Precision - WINNER
• Boohoo
• Fort Vale Engineering Ltd
• Safran Nacelles

SPECIAL AWARD

• Kieran McShane, Accrington – WEC Group, World Skills finalist in Construction Metalwork