University of Gloucestershire hosts inaugural Apprenticeship Awards

The University of Gloucestershire celebrated the achievements of its apprentices at an inaugural awards ceremony last week as part of this year’s National Apprenticeships Week.

Awards were handed out in front of an audience including dozens of employers and the friends and families of the 35 nominees, with guests travelling from as far afield as Hull and London to attend.

The event, which took place in the university’s business school at its Oxstalls Campus in Gloucester, honoured winners and finalists across different subject categories in recognition of their academic achievements – all of which accomplished while working full-time.  

Ianthe Reich, who works for Gloucestershire Hospitals Foundation Trust and triumphed in the nursing associate apprenticeship category, said:“I’m so honoured and privileged to win this award.

“I’ve gained a wealth of knowledge and skills through my apprenticeship.

“It’s helped boost my confidence, and I’ll be continuing my learning by returning to undertake the full nursing degree apprenticeship.  

“I want to say thank you so much to everyone who believed in me and supported me.

“It’s been an incredible journey, but I’ve come out a far more confident and knowledgeable person.”

Among the organisations supporting the event was Gloucestershire Police, which is working with the University of Gloucestershire to deliver apprenticeships to senior leaders and facilities managers. 

Melanie Hunt, talent and apprenticeship lead for Gloucestershire Police, said: “These awards are great.

“It’s incredible to be able to support apprenticeships and the people who are putting so much effort into studying alongside working.

“This is such a difficult thing to do, so when we can take time away to celebrate these individuals and give them the recognition they deserve, it’s fantastic.”

The University of Gloucestershire offers apprenticeships across 18 different programmes covering health and social care, business, education and cyber and computing.

Dame Clare Marchant, vice-chancellor, added: “It’s been a privilege to welcome so many of our apprentices and their employers onto campus for our first ever apprenticeship awards.  

“Apprenticeships are key not just to our future as a university but also to our prosperity as a country.

“As a university, we believe they should be integral to UK PLC’s productivity and skills agenda going forward.  

“We’re exceptionally proud that apprentices make up around 10 per cent of our university community.

“They bring different learning perspectives that are incredibly enriching for all, particularly in terms of how theory translates into real-world practice.

“This event is a testament to the connections we’ve developed with employers from across a range of sectors and industries, including brands as diverse as JW Marriott, the NHS, Superdry, Zurich, Cyber Security Associates and Leonardo.

“By working with these employers, we’re helping them to achieve their growth ambitions, which in turn supports the development of opportunities for all our graduates and alumni.”