THE young people who are set to lead the economic recovery were the stars of The Citizen and Gloucestershire Echo's second Apprenticeship Awards presentation evening.
Some 260 business leaders and apprentices gathered for the glittering event at the Hatherley Manor Hotel last Thursday night.
With Gloucestershire College and The Warranty Group as title sponsors, some of last year's winners were called up on stage by host Ian Mean, content director for Local World, for some inspiring words.
And none more so than Oliver Jones, of Kohler Mira, last year's Outstanding Higher Apprentice, who said: "Everyone here tonight is outstanding. The equation is that what you put in you will get out."
Ian Mean, pictured, himself a former apprentice journalist, said: "For the second year of these awards we hear inspirational stories that have led Gloucestershire to the enviable pinnacle of recruiting more apprentices than any other region in the South West recently. A high proportion of senior management among many of out sponsoring companies started as apprentices."
He said the event would not have been possible without the support of the sponsors, who he thanked.
Kevan Blackadder, editor of the Gloucestershire Echo, said: "We had an enormous range of talent across the entries and it was another tough decision for the judges."
And Jenny Eastwood, editor of The Citizen, said the business partners in the awards were crucial and showed how much more could be achieved by working together.
The award for the Gloucestershire Apprentice of the Year went to Roseanna Meek, of EDF Energy in Barnwood, who also won the Outstanding Apprentice, Financial and Business Services title.
Roseanna has supported all the functions within the supply chain department and was described as an outstanding professional "beyond her years", mentoring other apprentices and the first to volunteer for charitable activities.
"It was a surprise and also a great honour to win two awards like this," said Roseanna.
"I think young people should go for it and try to get themselves onto an apprenticeship. The best part of it is you can learn while being at work."
Ian Appel, owner of Cheltenham-based ILEC&IMEC Limited, which won the Medium Employer of the Year Award, said: "Apprentices are the foundation of our business."
Linsey Temple, chief executive of Gloucestershire Engineering Training, which won the Training Provider of the Year award said: "This is recognition of the hard work of all the staff. As a county, we are leading the way with apprentices."
Sarah Pullen, pictured, managing director of Gloucestershire Media, said: "This has been a great night for Gloucestershire.
"We are all very proud of the apprentices here this evening. You play a vital part in the future growth of Gloucestershire."
To see more pictures and a video from the apprenticeship awards, visit www.southwestbusiness.co.uk.
