THE BRIGHTEST AND BEST IN THE SOUTH WEST AND WEST

13 February 2013 – Ewan Davies Smith of Babcock International Group, based in Yeovilton, Somerset, was named Apprentice of the Year and his company won the Employer Recognition Award in this year’s South West and West of England Training Awards.

Other category winners honoured at the presentation ceremony– which was organised by B&ES (the Building & Engineering Services Association – formerly HVCA) and its training subsidiary Building Engineering Services Training (BEST) – were as follows:

Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Sam Cousins of MITIE TFM Ltd based in Weston-Super-Mare.

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Level 2 Award was presented to Jeremy Gould of Mannings Facilities Management Ltd based in Bristol.

Heating and Plumbing Level 3 Award was presented to Luke Maggs of Brothwell Irvine based in Torquay.

Heating and Ventilating Industrial/Commercial Level 2 Award was presented to Jack Inman of Europa Technical Services based in Bristol.

Heating and Ventilating Industrial/Commercial Level 3 Award was presented to Jamie Bolton of Neptune Building Services based in Gloucester.

Electrotechnical Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Alex Kibble of eesi Group Services based in Stonehouse, Gloucestershire.

The Electrotechnical Level 3 Award was presented to Ewan Davies Smith (see above).

Building Services Engineering Level 3 Award was presented to Charlie Hurst of Design Installation Services, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.

The event – which was hosted by Andrew Blunsdon, chairman of the B&ES Education Committee – took place in St George’s Hall, Bristol, where the Association was also represented by B&ES president Sue Sharp and chief executive Blane Judd.

Mrs Sharp told her audience that, as an employer within building engineering services, she was only too well aware of the absolute need for ongoing training and development at every level of the workforce.

“I also know that the most critical element of all is the continuous recruitment of talent, intelligence and potential – gifted individuals who will, given the required degree of education, training, monitoring and encouragement, become the craftsmen, managers and innovators of the future,” said the president.

And she added that there was real and lasting benefit to be derived from initiatives that highlighted the need continuously to enhance and replenish the skills pool – and which promoted the many golden opportunities that were open to those willing to devote the necessary hard work, dedication and commitment to the progression of their career.

“The development of training awards schemes that recognise dedication and excellence certainly qualify as just such initiatives,” the president concluded.

For more information about B&ES visit http://www.b-es.org and for information about apprentice training visit http://www.best-ltd.co.uk.

Ends

Issued on behalf of the Building & Engineering Services Association (B&ES) by Next Step Marketing Ltd

Media enquiries to:  Heather Lambert.  Tel:  44(0)1256 472020;

Fax:  44(0)1256 471010; E-mail:  heather@nextstepmarketing.co.uk

Notes to editors

Since its formation in 1904, B&ES, the Building & Engineering Services Association (formerly the HVCA) has represented the interests of companies engaged in a wide range of building and engineering services including domestic heating and renewable technologies.

B&ES members are subject to regular, third-party inspection and assessment of their technical competence and commercial capability, carried out by an independent certification body at least every three years.

B&ES members who undertake gas installations are registered with Gas Safe – the gas safety watchdog body – and are also members of TrustMark, the Government-endorsed scheme designed to direct customers towards reliable tradespeople.

B&ES operates the Heating Helpline (http://www.heatinghelpline.org.uk) to provide consumers with free, impartial advice on every aspect of home heating.

Picture Shows:

Left:    Ewan Davies Smith receives his top award from B&ES president Sue Sharp.

Right:  All the award winners with B&ES president Sue Sharp:

Front row, left to right:

Declan Bailey (Brothwell Irvine), Sam Cousins, Alex Kibble, Jeremy Gould and Luke Maggs.

Back row, left to right:

David Plester (Babcock International Group), Sue Sharp, Ewan Davies Smith, Jack Inman and Charlie Hurst.

Not shown:  Jamie Bolton, employed by Neptune Building Services, who was unable to attend.

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