ENGINEERING apprentice Pippa Dressler-Pearson, who works for latch and fastener specialists Southco Ltd in Worcester, is the county's top apprentice for 2016.

The 22-years-old won Worcestershire apprentice of the year at the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards, an initiative by Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership and Worcestershire County Council, held at West Midlands Safari Park. This year’s awards were hosted by business owner and winner of the first series of BBC’s The Apprentice, Tim Campbell and the event covered a total of twelve categories and 24 finalists.

As well as managing design projects, Miss Dressler-Pearson recognised the confusion faced by new people joining her organisation and created a guide book to help new engineers, students and apprentices rapidly adapt to their new surroundings. Her training provider recommended her as a role model for young people, saying: "The high standard Pippa has set means she will be a great ambassador for apprenticeships”.

The Worcestershire Apprenticeship employer of the year award went to creative communications agency drp of Hartlebury. Apprentices were also involved in the event itself with each winner receiving a trophy made by apprentices from Heartbeat Manufacturing of Redditch and a special VIP reception provided finalists with canapés made by the head chef at The Hope Pole Inn, Bewdley and its apprentice Jamie Stampe.

Mr Campbell said: "I would like to congratulate all the finalists and winners at this year’s Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards for their outstanding achievements. I thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the awards and taking the opportunity to celebrate the positive impact of the younger generation. It was clear that all of the winners and finalists have an extremely bright future ahead. The Awards ceremony captured the success of Worcestershire’s apprenticeships and the positive impact that they are having on apprentices, apprentice employers, schools and training providers."

Gary Woodman, chief executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, added: "Yet again, the awards proved to be a fantastic occasion to recognise the success of our local apprentices, apprenticeship employers, schools and training providers. We had some excellent entries and so to be a finalist and a winner are both significant achievements. I would like to thank all of the sponsors who supported this fantastic event as well as all those who support apprenticeships in the County.”

Cllr Dr Ken Pollock, Worcestershire County Council cabinet member for economy, skills and infrastructure, added: "The awards ceremony highlighted just how successful our local apprenticeship schemes are and the incredibly positive impact they have in the local area. All of the finalists and winners should be proud of their achievements and I do hope others follow their example. Businesses looking to hire an apprentice, or young people interested in an apprenticeship scheme, can view further information on the Worcestershire Apprenticeships website www.worcsapprenticeships.org.uk."

Awards:

Small apprenticeship employer of the year: Matthews Construction, Worcester; Large apprenticeship employer of the year: Worcester Bosch Group, Worcester; Advanced level apprentice of the year: Pippa Dressler-Pearson, Southco Ltd, Worcester; Higher level apprentice of the year: Alex Tyrer, Sanctuary Group, Worcester; Apprentice ambassador of the year: Dave Barnett,Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd, Worcester; Worcestershire apprentice of the year: Pippa Dressler-Pearson