Top local businesses and apprentices celebrate success

The achievements of employers and their Apprentices were recognised at the 2014 Themis Inspire and Achieve Awards.

The event was hosted at Themis, the award winning apprenticeship and business training provision of Burnley College and was attended by over 160 guests. Many of the area’s employers and business leaders celebrated alongside apprentices as the nine award winners were announced.

Barnoldswick based bed and mattress manufacturer, Silentnight scooped the hotly contested ‘Apprenticeship Development Award’ for their commitment to apprenticeship programmes within the manufacturing industry.

The organisation has developed a new Logistics Apprenticeship programme and is also implementing a specialised programme of training for their quilting operations using the SFA Innovation Codes. The company has also pledged their support towards the Higher Apprenticeship programme by enrolling two of their employees on this path of training.

Michael Dingwall, manufacturing manager at Silentnight said: “Silentnight is committed to the training and professional development of its workforce and apprenticeships are a key part of this. This award recognises such commitment”.

Nelson-based telecoms provider, New Call Telecom was awarded the ‘Themis Inspire and Achieve Award (Judge’s Choice Award) on the night for their exceptional contribution to apprenticeships and New Call apprentice, Daniel Tynan was awarded with ‘Apprentice of the Year’.

Nigel Eastwood, New Call’s founder and chief executive, said: “After the success we have achieved in the last 18 months establishing New Call as a best in class telecoms service provider, winning these awards further recognises this ambition and the talent within the business.

“Furthermore, winning these awards demonstrates we have a strong commitment to invest in employee education and training in the local community of Lancashire, which we look forward to developing further during the rest of 2014 and beyond.”

Other award winners included:Apprentice of the Year Award - Daniel Tynan, New Call Telecom Advanced Apprentice of the Year Award - Rebecca Hayton Apprenticeship Ambassador Award - Henry Padgett, Arthur Padgett Plumbing Skills and Development Award - Giant Leap Childcare and Learning Centre Trainee of the Year Award - Kelly Tipling, JB Wilcox Insurance Brokers Inspiration Award - Edward Padgett, Arthur Padgett Plumbing and Ray Evans, Ray Evans Painters and Decorators

Simon Jordan, director of Themis said: “The Themis Inspire and Achieve Awards are our way of celebrating the entrepreneurial skill, enthusiasm and commitment that is so prevalent in our local businesses. We are very proud to acknowledge this and applaud it.”

"Each of our finalists represent exceptional success over the last 12 months and each share a “can do” attitude and a preparedness to really make things happen within the sector in which they operate”. The awards were hosted by Simon Brierley, managing director, 2BR and The Bee and awards were presented by Helen Gopsill, human resources director, Safran Aircelle. The event culminated with an inspirational address by David Brown, former managing director of FH Brown Ltd.