Apprenticeships recognised at celebration event

Stone-based technical solutions company Capula were crowned Employer of the Year at an event held to celebrate Staffordshire University’s Apprenticeships.

The Apprenticeships Celebration Evening took place in the University’s flagship Catalyst building and was attended by more than 100 apprentices and their employers from both public and private sector.

The event also saw winners announced in seven Award categories including Employer of the Year which recognised Capula for its role in championing apprenticeships and supporting its apprentices.

Two healthcare apprentices scooped the top apprentice awards. Apprentice of the Year was awarded to Colin Jones who completed his Senior Leader Apprenticeship with Midlands Partnership NHS Trust while Jennie Porter from University Hospitals of North Midlands scooped the Outstanding Apprentice Performer for excelling at her studies and work commitments.

Outstanding apprentices were also awarded in three Schools categories and winners were Dominic Needham from BT, Kush Najran from Wells Pharmacy and Emmanuel Folorunsho from Synnovis.

Mentor of the Year was awarded to Nathan Rose from General Electric while the University’s own Levi Marshall took the title of Apprentice Champion of the Year recognising his passion and enthusiasm.

Associate Dean of Apprenticeships, Maighread Hegarty said, “We currently have over 3,000 apprentices which make up 25 per cent of the University’s student community – the second highest of any university in the country.

“We are extremely proud of our apprentices who are studying hard at the same time as making a valuable contribution in their workplaces. We’re also delighted to work with so many employers as their chosen apprenticeship provider and the Celebration Evening is an event to celebrate how we work together to develop the workforce.”

The full list of award winners is:

• School of Digital Technologies and Arts Outstanding Apprentice – Dominic Needham
• School of Justice Security and Sustainability Outstanding Apprentice – Khush Najran
• School of Health, Science and Wellbeing Outstanding Apprentice – Emmanuel Folorunsho
• Apprentice of the year - Colin Jones
• Mentor of the year – Nathan Rose
• Employer of the year – Capula
• Outstanding Apprentice Performer – Jennie Porter
• Apprenticeship Champion of the year – Levi Marshall

The celebration evening was attended by the University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Raheel Nawaz, who helped launch Degree Apprenticeships across three continents and was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship in recognition of his groundbreaking work.

He said: “Earlier this year we were visited by government Minister Robert Halfon who recognised that Staffordshire University has a strong track record in delivering degree apprenticeships and working with employers to address skills gaps.

In June, we were also privileged to host the First International Conference on Delivery and Policy of Degree and Higher Apprenticeships here at the University, which gave senior stakeholders from the UK, Europe, and North America the opportunity to discuss and debate some of the most important issues around degree and higher apprenticeships.

“New research has identified that high quality teaching is the most important factor necessary for an apprentice to thrive and we will continue to work with our employer partners to nurture and support our apprentices and provide an alternative route to high level skills and education.”

Maria Scrivens

Communications Manager

t: 01782 294375

m: 07766 520339

e: m.c.scrivens@staffs.ac.uk

Staffordshire University’s ambition is to become the UK’s best modern university. An institution with a strong civic mission, it has committed to being a ‘catalyst for change’ for students and businesses, positively impacting wider society and the regional economy.

Staffordshire University was named a Top 5 university in the UK and ranked Top 10 for job prospects in the StudentCrowd University Awards 2022 – based entirely on student reviews. It also ranked Top 10 for Social Inclusion in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023.

The 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) classed 68% of the University’s research as world leading or internationally excellent and 87% of its ‘research impact’ was judged to be outstanding or very outstanding.

Substantial investment in innovative technologies and teaching environments ensure next generation courses and education are delivered across all three campuses in Stoke-on-Trent, Stafford and London.