Awards Shine A Light On City’s Top Apprentices And Employers

Local News

Two apprentices who have triumphed in the face of adversity were praised at the prestigious Leeds Apprenticeship Awards.

Xena Daniels, 17, and Ryan Donnelly, 24, were the two recipients of the Against All Odds awards ceremony held at Leeds Civic Hall.

The category is aimed at recognising those who have overcome barriers to employment in order to excel within their apprenticeship.

Xena, a beauty therapy apprentice working at Leeds-based Peaches and Cream salon, was called “the most dedicated student we have ever had” by her training provider the Yorkshire College of Beauty Therapy.

Attending college every week despite suffering a broken leg, Xena’s persistence and determination were also praised by the judges.

Ryan, an engineering manufacturing apprentice working at Sulzer Pumps, coped with difficult personal circumstances throughout his apprenticeship.

Judges called him “a great example of someone who continues to get back up after each knock that life sends their way.”

As well as Xena and Ryan, awards were given to the Apprentice of the Year in the intermediate, advanced and higher categories.

Olivia Hall, 18, was the winner in the intermediate category for her work as a construction apprentice with Leeds City Council.

Chris Blackburn, 21, a construction and built environment apprentice with WSPO was called a “passionate and inspirational person” by judges who named him Apprentice of the Year in the advanced category.

And 27-year-old John Thomas Legge, a sustainable built environment apprentice with NG Bailey, was awarded Apprentice of the Year in the higher category.

The night was also about recognising employers investing in skills by taking on apprentices, with awards given out for Employer of the Year in the small, medium and large categories.

Bellissima Exclusive Ltd, whose entire workforce is made up of current or former apprentices, won Small Employer of the Year.

Medium Employer of the Year went to Connect Housing, who were praised for their commitment to taking on even more apprentices in future.

Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust was named Large Employer of the Year for their innovative approach to developing apprenticeship vacancies.

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, Leeds City Council’s executive member for digital and creative technologies, culture and skills, who attended the awards, said:

“This has been another memorable evening that has given us a chance to shine a light on the outstanding dedication, passion and commitment of our apprentices and their employers.

“Apprentices are now firmly established as an integral part of the Leeds workforce and have played a crucial role in some of the city’s biggest developments in recent years.

“They’re making a real, tangible impact on the local economy and it’s a privilege to help honour some of those who have gone above and beyond.

“I’d like to personally congratulate all of our winners and I hope their example will inspire other jobseekers and employers both now and in the future.”

For more information on apprenticeships, visit www.leedspathways.org.uk or telephone the Leeds Apprenticeship Hub on 07712 214 916.

Alternatively, email leeds.apprenticeship.hub@leeds.gov.uk

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