Nominations are now open for the Bristol and Bath Apprenticeship Awards 2022 - so if you haven’t entered yet, now’s your chance.
The awards are set to return to Ashton Gate Stadium in Bristol, with a ceremony taking place on Tuesday, May 17, from 6.30pm to 11pm to recognise the achievements of apprentices working and learning in both cities.
Entries for the awards are open until Monday, March 21. Excellence across a wide range of sectors will be recognised, with the overall Bristol and Bath Apprentice of the Year to be selected from all the winners on the night of the event.
BristolLive and its sister websites BusinessLive and SomersetLive want to hear from apprentices and the organisations that are helping the region’s future business leaders by creating opportunities.
Last year the awards were also held at Ashton Gate Stadium - the home of Bristol City FC and English Premiership rugby side Bristol Bears - to celebrate apprentices who were able to succeed despite the challenges posed by the coronavirus pandemic.
Yusra Shaeik, a technician with Bristol-based IT services and support business Dial A Geek, was named Outstanding Apprentice of the Year in the Technology, Digital and Creative Sector category, as well as the overall Bristol and Bath Apprentice of the Year.
Ahead of this year’s event, Ms Shaeik spoke to BristolLive about how winning the honours had impacted on her career.
How did it feel winning two awards at last year's event, including the overall Apprentice of the Year?
“I didn’t expect it, I thought that maybe I could get the technology award, but definitely not the overall award. Myself and my colleagues were sitting right at the back of the room, relaxing, enjoying the event and the three course meal, and having fun.
“When I won the first award we were all quite shocked. I brought up Nina, who is our marketing expert who does all our applications for the business, to accept the award. For the second one I brought up Gildas, our director. It was quite a surprise but overall it felt great - I got a lot of LinkedIn messages!
What was your experience of the ceremony at Ashton Gate Stadium? Were you able to make any good new contacts?
“Yes, we’re a managed service provider that provides IT support for smaller companies in the local area. It was a great opportunity to network with other companies, get to know other apprentices.
“We met some people from FD Works which is an accountancy company, they also won an award and it was their first time. We had a couple of clients there as well who were entering their apprentices.”
Has winning the awards helped your career in any way?
“It definitely has in terms of exposure. It gives you that backing that you’re good at what you do. You get a lot of messages on LinkedIn from people you probably wouldn't have got messages from before.
“It’s also just a good conversation starter, you can walk into a room and say ‘I did this.’ Everything is still pretty normal though - I can still go to the shops!”
How did your colleagues and your family react to your success?
“They were very happy and chuffed. It was good for the company's marketing and my mum was very happy. I got some nice dinner cooked for me and got control of the TV for the evening!”
What have you been up to workwise since winning the awards? Have you been given any more senior responsibilities?
“It wasn't as a result of winning the awards, but I have moved up to being a technical account manager at the company, slowly building my way up. It’s my job to make sure all of our clients are happy and they renew with us at the end of their contract.”
How important is it to recognise the work of apprentices through awards such as these?
“It’s definitely important. I didn’t know it was a thing to be honest, until I started working for Dial A Geek. I read BristolLive and I saw a post about the awards randomly. I sent it over to Nina, and she suggested applying for it.
“I wasn’t sure, it’s such a massive event. They don’t talk about these sorts of things in school, they tend to push university, which is normal, but I didn’t know what I wanted to do.
“I just went for the apprentice route, I wanted to see what it was like working, but it was definitely the best decision I could have made. I think it's important to get the word out that there is another route, there’s definitely not one way to any sort of position.
Were you at college when you started working at Dial A Geek?
“I had finished my A-Levels and I was in the crossroads where they’re trying to get you to apply for UCAS. I looked at the whole process including student finance, and I thought, because I didn't have a specific degree course that I wanted to do, why not try an apprenticeship and see how that goes?”
“I did an IT A-Level and I realised that was probably my best bet, in terms of grades and because it is something that is a bit more hands-on and an interesting career.
What would your message be to any apprentices or companies employing apprentices who are thinking of applying for this year's awards?
“Go for it! I would recommend to apprentices to do a degree course as well if they can. I know it’s a long journey but it is worth it.
“I would also recommend applying for the awards as well. You get the chance to put yourself out there, and you get to meet other people. At university you have that ‘alumni’ type of vibe, which you don’t get as an apprentice. It's kind of a lone world, as you do the course remotely usually. The awards give you the chance to meet people in the same position.”
"It is just a nice chance to get away with the company and just have an evening to enjoy yourself. If you win, you win, and if you don’t, you go home happy with a “belly full of food!”
If you’re an apprentice who feels you’ve achieved something noteworthy over the last year - or you know an apprentice who has - we want to hear from you.
To enter, or for more information on the awards, visit Bristol and Bath Apprenticeship Awards 2022’s official website.
Full list of categories for the Bristol and Bath Apprenticeship Awards 2022
BristolLive & BathLive Apprentice of the Year
This overall Apprentice of the Year award will be selected by judges from all sector winners announced on the night of the event
Outstanding Contribution To Apprenticeships In Bristol & Bath, sponsored by GKN Aerospace
An award recognising an individual based in Bristol or Bath, who has really helped drive apprenticeship campaigns through inspiration, energy, and imagination.
Bristol and Bath Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year
Judges will be looking for training providers who can demonstrate a real commitment to the development of individual apprentices, relationships with business and the promotion of work undertaken.
Small - Medium Employer of the Year (1-249), sponsored by MBDA Systems
Open to businesses based in Bristol and Bath with fewer than 250 staff that have employed an apprentice since April 2021.
Large Employer of the Year (250 +)
Open to businesses based in Bristol and Bath with more than 250 staff that have employed an apprentice since April 2021.
Outstanding Apprentice of the Year | Engineering, Manufacturing, Energy & Electrical, sponsored by Hunter Selection
Outstanding Apprentice of the Year | Public Services & Education
Outstanding Apprentice of the Year | Business, Administrative & Financial Services, sponsored by Bath College
Outstanding Apprentice of the Year | Construction, sponsored by SGS College
Outstanding Apprentice of the Year | Health, Wellbeing & Care, sponsored by Weston College
Outstanding Apprentice of the Year | Hospitality, Travel & Customer Service, sponsored by Strode College
Outstanding Apprentice of the Year | Technology, Digital & Creative Sector
Outstanding Apprentice of the Year | Young Recruit, sponsored by Wessex Water
This award is open to those who are 16 – 21 years old in the first year of their apprenticeship. Nominations for this award should be made by the employer.
