Recognition for high-flying apprentices.
Two of Birmingham’s leading vocational learners hit the headlines this week when they secured major prizes at the forth annual In-Comm Training Awards.
Alastair Green (Truflo Marine Valves) and Ryan Blair (Baker & Finnemore) beat off competition from over 100 individuals across the West Midlands to secure the Tom Wood Memorial Apprentice’s Apprentice of the Year and Business Improvement Technique Apprentice of the Year accolades respectively.
The latter has shown a fantastic desire for personal development by moving into quality assurance at the specialist fastener manufacturer, taking on new skills so he can implement changes for the benefit of the business.
More than 250 people attended the high-profile event at the Grand Station in Wolverhampton, with Faurecia’s Josh Watson picking up the Peter Wood Memorial Outstanding Apprentice of the Year award.
“When we first started to organise these awards, the apprentice career path was off the radar and there was very little interest in it. What a difference four years make, but we still have work to do to convince young people and adult learners that the vocational route can make a major difference,” explained Rebecca Phillips, In-Comm Training and Business Services.
“2015 has been a record year for entries and reflects the fact we have more than 400 people training either at our academy in Aldridge or across manufacturers and professional services firms across the West Midlands.
“Birmingham has always been a big centre of vocational learning and we’re delighted they have two winners who are going to make a big difference to the world of engineering and manufacturing.”
In one of the more emotional moments of the evening, Alistair Green was given the prestigious honour of being named Apprentice of the Year by his fellow apprentices. This award was held for the first time and in memory of In-Comm learner Tom Wood, who passed away suddenly earlier this year. The Truflo Marine Valve employee was cited as contributing most to his other learners, often going above and beyond what was required to help and support his colleagues.
Adult Learners’ Week which starts on Saturday is when our thoughts turn to learning skills – whether for work or just for the fun of it. The movement promoting Esperanto has now made a new way of learning the planned tongue available free on Duolingo.
Esperanto is considerably easier to learn than national languages, since its design is far simpler and more regular. Also, unlike national languages, Esperanto allows communication on an equal footing between people, with neither having the usual cultural advantage favouring a native speaker.