Three apprenticeship awards for Lancashire

BAE Systems collected two trophies at the National Apprenticeship Awards, while an apprentice from the National Nuclear Laboratory won the Apprentice Champion title.

The engineering firm won the Macro Employer of the Year Award and the Recruitment Excellence Award in recognition of its dedication to delivering high-quality apprenticeships.

The awards, in their 15th year, are run by the National Apprenticeship Service and recognise businesses that grow their own talent through apprenticeships and individual apprentices who have made a significant contribution to their workplaces.

Steve Fogg, managing director of BAE Systems Shared Services, said: "We have a long history of nurturing skills and our apprenticeships offer vocational experience as well as training up to degree and masters level.

“We are immensely proud to receive these awards and I congratulate all those involved in delivering our apprenticeships and ensuring our apprentices receive the very best in training, support and career opportunities."

Lucas Benson, a craft apprentice at BAE Systems who was shortlisted for the Advanced Apprentice of the Year award, was Highly Commended for his work on complex engineering projects such as the F-35 and Hawk at the Company's Air business based at Warton.

Meanwhile, Natalie White of the National Nuclear Laboratory's North West operation won the Royal Air Force Award for Apprenticeship Champion of the Year 2018

Natalie, from Leyland, said: “I am over the moon to have won this award: I am passionate about promoting apprenticeships because they offer young people a route through to a rewarding and valuable career and I hope my winning this award inspires more people to consider Apprenticeships as a career option.”

Paul Howarth, NNL’s CEO, said: “Natalie is a true ambassador for apprenticeships and she epitomises everything they represent: in her work for NNL she is a passionate supporter of their development and we are grateful for everything that she does for us. Everyone at NNL sends her their congratulations – very well deserved.” Damian Hinds, education secretary, said: “Apprenticeships are an excellent way for anyone to gain new skills and forge a career in anything from aerospace engineering to nursing. The National Apprenticeship Awards is a fantastic event to celebrate the achievements of apprentices, employers and training providers, and I want to wish all the winners and nominees congratulations on their incredible efforts.”