Nominate a skilful engineering apprentice for these regional awards

This category is open to apprentices working within the Engineering or Manufacturing sector, and nominations are wanted before the closing date in two weeks.

The judges will be looking for the contribution that the individual has made throughout their apprenticeship showing their commitment and attitude to the role and evidence of outstanding achievement through the quality of their work.

This award is sponsored by United Cast Bar Ltd, part of the United Cast Bar Group.

They are the world leader in both the manufacture and distribution of Unibar cast iron bar.

The company is proud to have its Head Office based at their UK Foundry in Chesterfield.

Their manufacturing base can produce more than 80,000 tons/annum of Unibar cast iron and a permanent stock of 20,000 tons in its two foundries Chesterfield and Zaragosa, with multiple distribution centres throughout Europe and the Far East.

As a company dedicated to innovation and always pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved, their future looks bright as they continue to develop high-quality products that offer great benefits to their diverse range of customers.

With an eye on future workforce needs, they have developed partnerships with local schools bringing together the education, engineering and manufacturing sector by regularly inviting school children to the foundry.

They aim to develop young people and retain their talent in the UK schools must start bringing manufacturing and engineering careers to their attention.

"To look forward, we must look back; getting young people interested in the sector is a great first step."

“Partnerships with local schools have reaped rewards, and they now have a strong apprenticeship programme funded through our Apprenticeship Levy.

"We see apprenticeships as key to succession planning and closing the skills gap at the company”, said James Brand, managing director (Foundries)

In 2019, Shivan Morkar was crowned the winner; his employer William Cook said that Shivan is forward-thinking and creative, with the ability to rise to and manage the challenges he’s faced with.

Or do you embrace equality and diversity within your apprenticeship programme? You could enter the Diversity & Inclusion Award, which is open to employers.

We are searching for the excellent commitment an employee has made to actively develop an inclusive workplace for apprenticeships – where fairness, respect, equality, dignity, and autonomy are at the forefront of their values and are promoted as part of their everyday goals and behaviour.

In 2019 Sheffield City Council were crowned winners of this award; they said that the Diversity and Inclusion policy has enabled the promotion of targeted entry-level hiring.

They have responded to areas of need and demographic change by creating employment opportunities for individuals from underrepresented groups.

Nominations ‌are ‌open, but be quick as the closing date is approaching.

Visit‌ ‌‌www.scrapprenticeshipawards.co.uk‌ ‌‌to‌ ‌register‌ ‌and‌ ‌compile‌ ‌your entry ‌by June 30, to be in with a chance of being crowned one of the 2021 winners.