TRAINING & APPRENTICESHIPS
Sponsored by PX Group
WINNER : SIR ROBERT MCALPINE
Engineer Paula McMahon was thrilled to collect the Training and Apprenticeships award on behalf of building and civil engineering company Sir Robert McAlpine .
“ It ’ s fantastic to win , especially as the field we were in was so strong ,” said Paula .
Judges had been impressed by all three shortlisted candidates , but Sir Robert McAlpine pipped the other finalists to the post with an outstanding nomination that showed how much effort they put into nurturing staff , promoting apprenticeships and training the next generation of construction professionals .
The company ’ s comprehensive training constantly evolves to ensure all employees are trained to the highest standards and includes face-to-face , online and external offerings .
Their regional apprentices range from engineers to construction managers and a wide variety of operatives . The company has an approved Institution of Civil Engineers ( ICE ) training scheme and has seen several people becoming professionally qualified .
It was also among the first companies globally to help those without any academic qualifications gain ICE membership . With a comprehensive work experience model and many apprentices now STEM ambassadors , it has plans to initiate others soon .
“ The award is really great recognition for all the things that we do and also about commitment to the future of the industry on the whole and not just where we stand now ,” said Paula .
px Group ' s Katie Woods-Ruddick with Paula McMahon of winners Sir Robert McAlpine .
FINALIST : FINALIST :
Paul J Watson Solicitor
Middlesbrough ’ s Paul J Watson Solicitor , run by father-and-daughter team Paul Watson and Gemma Gouder , is committed to the further training and education of its staff .
Family solicitors regularly attend Teesside University ’ s Student Law Clinic , where students learn by work-shadowing as the solicitors provide advice to clients for free . The firm also offers regular work experience to less privileged students and graduates . All staff are trained in suicide prevention , mental health and are Dementia Friends . The small firm has trained a mental health first aider , mental health supervisor and two employees as domestic abuse support .
Annual training is offered to all staff via online courses and successes have included a legal secretary now training as a legal executive and a trainee solicitor who began as a work experience placement .
Middlesbrough College
Middlesbrough College has centres across the North-East to support its apprenticeship delivery through its commercial arm , Northern Skills Group . In addition , it delivers classes within community centres to bring education and training to those who don ’ t feel ready to come into the college or are unable to travel .
Working with more than 15,000 students of all ages and from a diverse range of backgrounds , the college offers everything from study programmes for school leavers right through to apprenticeships , industry training and degrees , plus training and support to the unemployed .
Middlesbrough College and TTE collectively trains on average 8,000 adults ( 61 per cent female ), 4,000 school leavers , 2,000 apprentices and 1,000 higher education students .
SPONSOR ’ S MESSAGE
HR director Katie Woods-Ruddick of px Group said : “ We were delighted to sponsor , for the third year running , the Training and Apprenticeships Award . This year , as always , was a tough category to judge . The standard of entries was excellent and it was fantastic to read about the wonderful work that the finalists do to ensure that they create a culture of learning , particularly with apprentices and supporting women in the workplace .
“ Development is a particular passion of px Group .
“ Having an environment that brings apprentices into the business and champions their learning is a crucial business success criteria .
“ While all candidates were worthy of winning this award , Sir Robert McAlpine stood out for the judging panel . They promote and support apprentices working in the construction sector and are a driving force to bring more women into this field .”