Last updated at 16:44, Thursday, 14 March 2013

OUTSTANDING apprentices, spanning a range of industries, have been celebrated in an inaugural ceremony.

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At the first Furness College Apprenticeship Awards, college principal, Anne Attwood, hailed the work-based training programmes as the “golden route for employers and employees”.

Barrow’s Furness College has one of the highest success rates for apprenticeships in the country, and 100 per cent of its apprentices are employed.

The college at Chanelside works with more than 500 employers and trains more than 700 apprentices.

Graham Hempsall, BAE Systems maritime/submarines head of operations support and capability, spoke at Wednesday’s ceremony, held during National Apprenticeship Week.

Mr Hempsall said he was heartened that the nominated apprentices were from across different industries, of various ages and of both genders.

He said: “Where apprenticeships are concerned there are no losers, everyone wins, the apprentices, the employers and the country.”

Lizzie MacKay, of Citrus-Lime Ltd, Ulverston, was named Overall Apprentice of the Year and Business Apprentice of the Year.

The double award-winner, who celebrates her 21st birthday next week, was one of the first two apprentices the e-commerce company took on.

Miss MacKay, of Dalton, started in May in her business administration role, and by November she had stepped up to take on a customer account manager position.

She said: “I was amazed to be nominated for my category, when I won it I was in shock.

“To win the overall award was amazing, I’m so happy that people are aware of apprentices and are recognising them for the work they put in.”

Elizabeth OKell, office manager of Citrus-Lime, said: “Lizzie has worked very hard and she has moved up to become an account manager. Her drive and work ethic are excellent.

“We’d never ventured down the apprenticeship route before.”

Furness College deputy principal, Mark Nicholson, said: “It’s been an outstanding success, everyone is recognising the value of apprentices.”

• Read more about the award winners in Tuesday’s Business.

First published at 16:23, Thursday, 14 March 2013
Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk