Apprentices Look To The College For Best Education | News | Leeds College of Building

Fri 2nd March, 2012

The College has been selected as the best learning provider of the year at an awards ceremony hosted by Leeds City Council and the National Apprenticeship Service to recognise outstanding contributions to Apprenticeships.

The Leeds Apprenticeship Awards are designed to reward and recognise Apprentices, employers and training providers. The Council and partners are aiming for Leeds to become known as the best city in the UK for developing skills and opportunities through Apprenticeships.

The College saw off competition from a number of education providers to reach the final four and win the coveted award which was presented to Deputy Principal Derek Whitehead at the ceremony at Leeds Civic Hall.

The College currently works with 1,200 Apprentices through its own Work Based Learning unit and subcontracted off the job training for other managing agencies. The College also works with over 1,000 businesses across Yorkshire to offer 20 construction Apprenticeship courses in a variety of areas. Derek says: “We are delighted to have been chosen as the best learning provider by an awards scheme that has been designed to celebrate the achievements of both the Apprentices themselves and those that help train and develop their skills. We accept this award on behalf of our Apprentices that study at the College and the employers that support us.”

One of our painting and decorating apprentices also won the ‘making a difference’ award.  Robert Blackshaw, who is from Ilkley and is an apprentice with Avalon Group says: “I can’t thank my lecturers enough really, not only for nominating me but for all the support they provide on a daily basis. At Avalon we work for East North East Homes Leeds and a lot of the decorating work I do is for people living in the community with disabilities.”

Robert beat many other apprentices to win the award and is currently working towards his level 2 stage of his Apprenticeship.

Councillor Peter Gruen, Leeds City Council executive board member said: “Apprenticeships are a fantastic way of providing people with a new set of skills and knowledge. They offer an employer a good opportunity to employ and develop local talent and the uptake of apprenticeships doubled last year – which is a massive achievement for the City.”

To find out more about Apprenticeships click here.