Two inspirational students from Bolton College have made it through to the regional final of the National Apprenticeship Awards.
Qurban Ali Zadeh, 23, and Sophie Tucker, 22, have both been shortlisted in the Apprentice of the Year category.
The scheme is run by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), a Government-backed organisation, which supports, funds and co-ordinates the delivery of apprenticeships throughout England. Now in its ninth year, the awards celebrate the country’s top apprentices, who have been singled out for making a real difference to their organisation.
During their apprenticeships, both students have received considerable praise for their commitment, tenacity and dedication, while making a positive contribution to the business objectives of their respective employers.
Qurban Ali Alahdad Zadeh arrived as a refugee from Afghanistan six years ago, without any qualifications or the support of a family. After enrolling at Bolton College to learn English, he embarked on a diploma in motor vehicle mechanics and, with the help of his assessors at the college, secured a two-year apprenticeship at Don Burnett Service Centre in Bolton.
No stranger to awards success, Qurban has previously been crowned Apprentice of the Year in the Bolton and Bury Business Awards 2012. He is now hoping for repeat success in the National Apprenticeship Awards.
Sophie Tucker is currently studying an HNC in Civil Engineering at Bolton College. After securing an apprenticeship with United Utilities, she was nominated by her employers for her ‘outstanding efforts’. Having received distinctions in every one of her training modules to date, she has consistently received positive feedback from her tutors.
Marie Gilluley, Principal of Bolton College, said: “The National Apprenticeship Awards is one of the most high profile events in the awards calendar and we are thrilled to have two students in the running for these awards. Both individuals have thrown themselves into the apprenticeship experience and picked up a wealth of respect along the way. Regardless of the outcome, they are sure to go far and have really set themselves apart with their hard work and dedication. We could not be more proud of their achievements.”
The regional awards ceremony for Greater Manchester, Staffordshire, Cheshire and Warrington, takes place on 13 September 2012 at Legends, Bentley Motors Ltd in Crewe. If successful, the Bolton College students will go on to the national finals held in London in November.
Apprenticeships offer practical training opportunities in the workplace – giving employees the skills they need to build a career and employers access to committed workers, who can fill a skills gap and contribute to the bottom line. Bolton College has a successful track record for delivering high quality government-backed apprenticeships with businesses in the local area.
For more information about the range of apprenticeships on offer at Bolton College, please visit www.boltoncollege.ac.uk.
