Sheffield’s dedicated and hard-working apprentices to be recognised in annual awards

Once again The Sheffield Star is delighted to celebrate the Sheffield City Region Apprenticeship Awards that recognise how important apprentices are to workforces in our wonderful city.

With close to a million active Apprenticeships across England alone, apprenticeship schemes have fast become a route to future employment for thousands of school leavers and provide hands-on experience, a salary and the chance to train while you work.

These awards recognise and reward both the apprentices and their employers that are excelling across the Sheffield City Region, covering Sheffield, Doncaster, Barnsley & Rotherham and Derbyshire and Worksop.

Independent people and talent consultancy, Gradconsult, are proudly sponsoring the higher and degree apprenticeship category at the 2021 awards.

Degree and higher apprenticeships are offered by many universities and training providers across the region, including Sheffield Hallam University.

The aim is for students to achieve a full bachelor's or master's degree as part of their apprenticeship. Higher and Degree apprentices are employed throughout the programme and spend part of their time studying and the rest with their employer.

Sheffield-based Servelec, provider of digital care software across healthcare, social care, education and youth services employ over 450 people at four different locations.

Their Digital Academy is made up of 12-degree apprentices, working full-time while studying for a BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions Professional at Sheffield Hallam.

The academy offers a new approach to recruitment and is helping the company expand their talent pipeline and develop the next generation of software engineers.

Apprentices work in software development, focusing on gaining core software development skills and helping to support better connectivity between health and care systems.

They’ll gain degree-level academic and practical skills in digital programming – and graduate with several years of industry experience they wouldn’t get on a traditional learning route.

Damian De Luca, academy lead, Servelec, said: “Sheffield is a hub of incredible digital talent, and by offering our degree apprenticeships in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University, we’re providing an unparalleled standard of technical education alongside a competitive wage.

“The benefits to both apprentices and employers are clear. They bring a new perspective and future talent to the business whilst being committed, passionate and eager to learn.”

Garry McCord, chief strategy officer at Servelec, added: “Servelec is incredibly proud to welcome the first students to the Servelec Digital Academy. These 12 junior developers represent the first of the next generation of our team, and the whole business is excited to support them as they start their careers with us.”

The categories for the 2021 awards are The Kickstart Scheme / Apprenticeship, COVID Hero, Rising Star, Large Employer of the Year, Diversity and Inclusion Award, Training Provider/Programme of the Year, Mentor of the Year, Intermediate Apprentice of the Year, Business and Law Apprentice of the Year, Health and Public Service Apprentice of the Year, Engineering/Manufacturing Apprentice of the Year, SME Employer of the Year and Higher/Degree Apprentice of the Year.

To enter the awards, visit www.scrapprenticeshipawards.co.uk/

The deadline for entries is June 30.