OCS is pleased to announce the conclusion of its third annual Apprentice of The Year award ceremony, held on Wednesday, February 7th, in alignment with the UK’s National Apprenticeship Week.
The purpose of our annual Apprentice of The Year award 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. It is our privilege to offer the necessary resources and support to enable our colleagues to take significant strides in advancing their careers. Our dedicated Social Mobility team, specialising in tailored pathways for the facilities management industry, collaborates with esteemed partners and industry leaders, ensuring our apprentices receive the best experience.
Our apprenticeship recognition and awards program features twelve monthly finalists, who have shown exemplary initiative within their programme gaining recognition from their line manager or skills coach as part of the nomination process. The selection process is based on nominees meeting either one or all of the PIBS criteria, namely;
- Personal achievement and progression
- Impact of learning/Return on Investment (ROI)
- Behavioural change
- Self-management
This culminates in the selection of an overall annual winner and a runner-up at the Apprentice of The Year ceremony. This year, Khalid Mahmood, an OCS Security Officer at HMCTS, secured the top position, earning a Distinction in his Level 3 training. Michelle Rowe, OCS Production Chef at Desborough College, displayed remarkable achievement as the deserving runner-up, successfully completing her level 2 qualification.
We also extend our appreciation to our training service partners who have consistently gone beyond to provide our colleagues with exceptional support. In recognition of their outstanding contributions, we are pleased to announce that Mercury Training Services Ltd and GLP Training Ltd have been honoured as our Outstanding Training Providers of the Year.
We take immense pride in the accomplishments of our apprentices, who consistently navigate the challenges of simultaneous learning and professional responsibilities. Their dedication is commendable, and we remain committed to fostering an environment that encourages continuous growth and development within our workforce.
National Apprenticeship Week is an opportunity for the education and skills sector to celebrate the achievements of apprentices around the country and the positive impact they make on communities, businesses, and the wider economy.
I am OCS’s Skills Development Manager here at the Department for Education, and it is great to see that positive impact being made through OCS’s apprenticeship programme. Since the pandemic, our focus on employer engagement has shifted slightly, with a greater emphasis on the quality of apprenticeships being delivered, rather than just encouraging more starts, and it is clear OCS’s approach is equally aligned with this.
Bertie Hutchins
Skills Development Manager (South), Department of Education
Dedicating myself to supporting the development of others is a priority for me. Individuals who choose to participate in our programs are expressing a commitment to self-improvement despite their demanding professional obligations. As a company, it is crucial for us to acknowledge and appreciate the effort and sacrifice made by those who embark on this journey of personal development. We take pride in recognising and valuing their commitment.
Tim Bowers
Apprenticeships & Funded Learning Capability Manager
