Apprentices, along with their training assessors, employers and supervisors were celebrated at the Ealing Apprenticeship Network Awards on Tuesday, 22 November 2016.

Once again the council beat its target of creating 100 new apprenticeships in 100 days. The council has already signed up 61 businesses to provide 180 quality employment and training opportunities.

The ‘Network Apprentice of the Year’ award was given to Supanja Davies who is part way through a placement with property developer, Countryside Properties Limited. Supanja is studying site supervision at college in Wales and makes a weekly eight-hour round trip between her work placement in Ealing and college in Port Talbot. She was praised for her dedication, enthusiasm and amazing work ethic.

Supanja said: “I was so excited and honoured to receive this award; it is the best thing to happen to me all year. This apprenticeship has opened up so many doors for me. As a women, it had been difficult to find work in construction, but an apprenticeship has made it possible for me to have a career. I would recommend an apprenticeship to anyone wanting to gain experience for this career, especially women.”

Sophie Tippen was named as runner up. She is as an apprentice traffic clerk at Palletways UK Limited and was applauded for her positive attitude, drive and determination.

The ‘Network employer of the Year’ was named as A2Dominion who have been developing young people through their apprenticeship programme for the last five years. The majority of their apprentices progress into permanent employment with A2Dominon and their advice, pastoral and professional support was singled out for praise.

The ‘Supervisor of the Year’ was named as Lorna Hackland from Once Upon a Time Day Nurseries and Peter Roberts from Hawk Training was crowned as ‘Assessor of the Year’.

Councillor Peter Mason, cabinet member for prosperity, skills, employment and transformation, said: “We put a great deal of work into supporting and growing our local network of apprentices, employers, trainers and supervisors and these awards show the variety of opportunities that are on offer.

“Apprentices make a huge contribution to businesses and the nominations we have received speak volumes about the positive impact that they can make. I’d like to thank all of the employers that have hired an apprentice and say congratulations to everyone who has helped them to reach their potential.”

2016 Network Apprentice of the Year, Supanja Davies with the leader of Ealing Council, Councillor Julian Bell and the chief executive of Ealing Council, Paul Najsarek.