Exeter wins Business of the Year award for support to apprentices

The Annual Skills Awards, hosted by Exeter College, acknowledges outstanding local employers and the opportunities they provide for dedicated apprentices each year.

The University works closely with Exeter College to provide a successful apprenticeship programme which offers high quality, structured work experience to students, ensuring they have the best start possible to their future employment.

Catherine Bailey from the University’s Employee Services team and Jonathan Cresswell, Deputy Head of Technical Services attended the event and saw first-hand how successful the University’s apprenticeship programme has been.

Jonathan Cresswell, said: “I am proud to receive this award on behalf of the University and it is fantastic that our apprenticeship programme has been recognised in this way not only by Exeter College but also the apprentices that have benefited from our support”.

“We were the first employer to fully support the higher apprenticeship provision with the College and we are continually looking to develop our apprenticeship programme and support students every step of the way at the start of their training and career.”

Mike Blakeley, Head of Business Solutions and Enterprise at Exeter College, said: “We are exceptionally fortunate in this area to have some of the most supportive and forward thinking businesses in the country. The range and diversity of our network ensures young people get some amazing opportunities. We recognise the impact of high quality placements on our apprentices and we use events like this to recognise the contribution these key partners make”.

He added “Congratulations to all our winners. They are what make our apprenticeship provision amongst the best”.

The awards ceremony was organised and hosted by apprentices from Exeter College. The event took place at the University of Exeter’s Reed Hall on 9 November 2015.