Warwickshire College Group's apprentices mean business

National Apprenticeship Week at Warwickshire College Groups (WCG) apprenticeship graduation and awards ceremony

The apprentices celebrated completing a range of apprenticeships from engineering and social media to horticulture and welding in a wide range of businesses.

Guest of honour, Chris White MP, spoke to the gathering after which the apprentices received their official scrolls from WCG Group Principal and CEO, Angela Joyce.

Awards were also made to outstanding apprentices in three industry sectors - engineering and construction, land-based industries and service industries.

Colin Hankinson an apprentice in Engineering Maintenance for DHL Supply Chain won the award for Outstanding Apprentice in Engineering and Construction.

The award for Outstanding Apprentice in Land-based Industries was given to Adam Barnes, 27, an apprentice in production horticulture at Cotswold Garden Flowers won Adam Barnes, 27, from Worcester was celebrating graduating from his apprenticeship in production horticulture with Cotswold Garden Flowers and also won the Outstanding Apprentice Award for Land-based Industries.

Ella Jackson, Apprentice in Business Administration at Robert Welch won the award for Outstanding Apprentice in Service Industries.

The 20-year-old from Stratford-upon-Avon said: “I didn’t expect to win at all - it was a really good surprise.

“I’ve always worked, even while I was studying, so I knew I liked hands on experience which meant an apprenticeship was right for me, rather than university.”

Angela Joyce, Group Principal and CEO of WCG said: “This is an opportunity for us to recognise and reward apprentices in the same way as those who have studied for a degree, so it was wonderful to see family, friends and employers coming together to celebrate the apprentices’ achievements.

“Congratulations to all of the apprentices - we wish them all the very best for the future and we are looking forward to the next ceremony.”