A huge congratulations to all of our finalists and winners this year. We hope you all thoroughly enjoyed the Gala Dinner and are proud of your contributions to East Kent.
Here’s a little bit about our winners:
Angela Svendsen
Business Management & Administration Apprentice of the Year
For Angela Svendsen, the start of her level 5 operations manager apprenticeship coincided with the height of the pandemic. The impact on her workplace, as everywhere, was profound. To her enormous credit, she excelled in helping to make sure her department and team were able to get appointments for patients back on track while still meeting her apprenticeship deadlines, a testament to her impressive time management skills.
Daniel Fox
Construction Apprentice of the Year
Daniel Fox is a fantastic example for any aspiring apprentices of what someone can achieve if they work hard, are motivated, and commit themselves to maximising their apprenticeship opportunity. Daniel joined WW Martin in September 2021 and is in the second year of his Carpentry Level 2 Apprenticeship at E-K-C’s Broadstairs College. He has become a highly valued member of the team, showing an exemplary attitude in everything he does.
Olly Julier
Creative and Digital Apprentice of the Year
Olly Julier is a digital marketing apprentice at Knauf UK and Ireland, joining the business in September 2022. In his short time with the company, Olly has impressed the team with his exceptional drive, commitment, and creative eye. He decided to go down the apprenticeship route after finishing his GCSEs but has shown maturity beyond his years, displaying an ability to work with all different types of people in the manufacturing and construction industry. He has rapidly built a rapport with his immediate team and the wider company as well.
Danielle Yates
Education & Early Years Apprentice of the Year
Danielle Yates, an apprentice at Queenborough Primary School and a deserved finalist in the East Kent Apprenticeship Awards 2023. She is someone who goes above and beyond for the children in her year group and the people she works with. She has gone from strength to strength in developing the skills she will need to succeed in the classroom, not least in having a good handle on getting the children’s attention.
Daniel Clark
Engineering Apprentice of the Year
Daniel Clark had no previous work experience when he started his apprenticeship at Sparshatt Truck and Van training academy in Sittingbourne, joining the team straight from school. He also had undiagnosed dyslexia that hit his confidence especially when sitting exams. A formal test eventually confirmed the diagnosis. Thanks in part to adjustments made to support him but also his positive attitude to learning Daniel hasn’t looked back, excelling in his studies and becoming a valued member of his workshop team.
*Award collected by Jason Austin on behalf of Daniel Clark.
Summer Johnson
Hair & Beauty Apprentice of the Year
Summer Johnson is a passionate apprentice who is always pushing herself and trying her best, helping the team where she can and trying to upskill and educate herself. A real asset to the salon she will be an amazing future hairdresser. She is always doing well and works to a high standard. One happy client described how when Summer does her hair, she is ‘determined to ensure I am always happy with the end result.’
Aaron Foulkes
Hospitality & Retail Apprentice of the Year
Becoming an apprentice isn’t meant to be easy, there are always hurdles to overcome. That was certainly the case for Aaron Foulkes. Before starting the sales apprenticeship programme at Barretts Jaguar Land Rover there was a tough assessment day to complete first and while you’d forgive him for a few nerves he impressed straight away with his maturity, confidence, and clear communication.
Sara Quint
Health and Social Care
Sara Quint arrived at college worried about her IT skills, fear of navigating an online assessment platform and just being back in learning after so long. As the months progressed Sara’s self-belief and self-confidence began to shine becoming a real asset to the group. She’s also since been promoted at the Royal British Legion where she works as a Healthcare Assistant. She gained a Merit in her studies through EKC Training with plans to return to college in the next academic year to begin her Level 3 in Adult Care.
Angela Gardiner
Apprentice Champion
Angela Gardiner has worked across all of campus sites since she joined in Summer 2021. She engages with all of the Industry Liaison Officers & Careers Advisors, in particular, Folkestone, Broadstairs, and Canterbury where she attends Careers Fairs and offers work experience to full-time students, with the end goal of them securing an Apprenticeship. All colleagues within E-K-C Group speak very highly of her. Angela is very passionate about getting new talent into the business but also champions existing staff in their development & future prospects within the company. She is a pleasure to work with and nothing is ever too much trouble.
Tribeca IT
Private Sector Business or Organisation of the Year
Tribeca Technology Group has been running its apprenticeship program since 2011 with their first apprentice still with the business 12 years on. They aim to give local, young people the opportunity to get their foot in the door and start along the path towards their future career aspirations. They are a business rooted within their local community with the ongoing apprenticeship scheme ensuring continued investment into local employment.
Tribeca offers apprenticeships across the business in various departments, including the IT and support First Line team, Professional Services, Accounts, and HR. Their goal is for every apprentice to be offered a permanent position with the company at the end of their course.
The Canterbury Academy Trust
Public Sector Organisation of the Year
Based in the heart of the city, The Canterbury Academy Trust came into existence back in 2010 It provides a variety of services to improve the life chances of children and to help in the community.
Since launching The Canterbury Academy Trust has employed apprentices across the organisation which today includes a pre-school and nursery, a primary school, specialist provision, and the Academy itself – schooling for all the talents.
The aim has been to support apprentices throughout their training and provide a safe space for them to learn and flourish so they have every opportunity to be the very best they can be.