Skills Group celebrates award successes

2020 is already proving to be an exciting year for Skills Group with some fantastic awards successes.

Skills Group has been shortlisted in the:

FE Week and AELP AAC Apprenticeship Awards in the Construction Apprenticeship Provider of the Year category. The awards are a celebration of excellence in apprenticeship delivery in the UK, and to be shortlisted is a great achievement. The final winner will be announced at the Annual Apprenticeship Conference Gala Dinner and Awards evening on Tuesday 3rd March 2020.

TES FE Awards 2020 in the Training Provider of the Year category. The awards recognise the most outstanding individuals and institutions that the FE sector has to offer. The winners will be revealed at a gala awards evening at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Friday 20th March.

Also a huge congratulations to Matty Pilkington, one of our bricklaying apprentices, who has been shortlisted in the Building Plymouth Construction Apprentice of the Year Awards. The awards ceremony will be held at the Building Plymouth Apprenticeship Jobs Fair on Saturday 8th February in the Plymouth Guildhall.

Fingers crossed for all of the awards!

I just wanted to say the biggest thank you to Vanessa, my trainer. You have made my journey so much easier, I don’t know what I would have done without you. You have been amazing and helped me to achieve my qualification. You’ve guided me through every step of the way, I really appreciate it, Vanessa, you have been my rock.

Katie Shorland, Level 2 Hairdressing

I always struggled in school as I wasn’t very academic, so knew learning on the job would be a better option for me. I would find it difficult to get up for 9am but now I wake up and look forward to my day. I wanted to try a hair apprenticeship as I’ve always been interested in hairdressing, and by the end of the first week, I already loved it!

Jaimee Benson, Level 2 Hairdressing

I have developed a range of new skills through work including the technical, industry skills required for the job, to personal development such as ensuring I am always on time. The biggest change since leaving school is adjusting to the independence you gain from earning a salary. My advice to anyone thinking of doing an apprenticeship would be find what you like doing, and go for it!

Will Birch, Level 2 Bricklaying

Since starting the apprenticeship, I’ve become far more confident. In a classroom, you only interact with your classmates, but through working you develop your people skills as you interact with customers on a daily basis. At school, you are closely monitored and parented, however I am now more independent and feel grown up

Sam Collard, Level 2 Light Vehicle and Maintenance Repair

The most important thing I’ve learnt since leaving school is that there are other routes to success than just academia. I failed my GCSEs, as I never suited the school environment. Now though, I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship as I’ve discovered I learn more through hands-on practice.

Ben Freeman, Level 2 Carpentry

I would just like to thank you and your team for all the amazing work they do, you have provided me with the most invaluable experience which has helped to pave the way of my future. The work you do for young people is incredible!

Luke Kowalski, Teaching Assistant and former apprentice at Sir Robert Gefferys School