Yesterday, we held our fourth annual Apprentice of the Year award ceremony at our London office. The event honoured our twelve Apprentice of the Month winners, their line managers, and training service providers. Our apprenticeship recognition and awards programme features these twelve monthly finalists who have shown exemplary initiative, gaining recognition from their line managers or skills coaches as part of the nomination process.
The purpose of our annual Apprentice of the Year award (AOTY) is to recognise and commend the dedication of our colleagues and their teams who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to our TRUE Values by actively engaging in upskilling and personal development.
Our apprenticeship team, led by Toni-Marie Vaughn (Head of Learning and Development), Tom Copsey (Director of Resourcing and Talent Management), Sarah Williams (OCS UK&I Chief People Officer), and Daniel Dickson (OCS UK&I Chief Executive Officer), attended the ceremony. Eight of the finalists were present, and three outstanding service providers were awarded for their immense support and dedication.
The finalists in the running for the 2024 Apprentice of the Year title were presented with their awards and shared a bit about their unique journeys. A few common themes stood out – they had all experienced challenges, with the mathematics pathway being a recurring note. They also faced personal challenges with health, family losses, self-doubt, and the struggle to balance work and study. However, it was clear that through the support from their training providers and line managers, they persevered and succeeded. Their presence at the ceremony – having won the Apprentice of the Month title in 2024 – demonstrates that their hard work and perseverance were recognised and rewarded.
The event culminated in the crowning of the third-place winner, runner-up, and overall winner of the Apprentice of the Year award. The selection process for the AOTY is based on nominees demonstrating all of the set criteria, namely:
- Personal achievement and progression
- Impact of learning/Return on Investment (ROI)
- Behavioural change
- Self-management
The team was thrilled to present Heather Andrews, Manchester Central Venue Housekeeping Manager, as the third-place winner; Christine Kitcher, FCMGR Deputy IFM Manager, as the runner-up; and finally, Emma Fletcher, Business Coordinator at Arndale Centre, as the overall winner and 2024 Apprentice of the Year.
OCS champions the power of apprenticeships to shape the next generation, nurture talent, and drive innovation. The award ceremony honours the hard work, dedication, and success of all apprentices and their mentors. Their dedication is commendable, and we remain committed to fostering an environment that encourages continuous growth and development within our workforce.
Last year’s award ceremony was the one of the highlights of my year, so it was very much a priority to attend and support this year’s event. I’m passionate about seeing our people grow and develop, and I was glad to see the range of winners this year in age and business divisions. Listening to the stories of our apprentices, it’s clear their journey is not an isolated one; line managers and skills coaches are crucial to the process. I’m grateful to all the line managers across the business who make it their mandate to support and champion apprenticeships. It is always so inspiring to learn more about our apprentices. Congratulations to all our winners; you’ve achieved something remarkable.
Daniel Dickson
OCS UK&I Chief Executive Officer
