Energy company Dale Power Solutions was last night revealed as The British Army-sponsored Large Employer of the Year at the National Apprenticeship Awards at an exclusive ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House.
The National Apprenticeship Awards, now in their fourteenth year, are run by the National Apprenticeship Service and recognise businesses that grow their own talent with apprentices and apprentices who have made a significant contribution to their workplaces.
Based in Scarborough, Dale Power Solutions has been recruiting apprentices since the 1940s, but relaunched its apprenticeship programme in 2007.
Selected from many entrants from across the country, Dale Power Solutions delivers five different apprenticeships, from business and administration to engineering technology. It also provides advanced and higher apprenticeships.
On accepting the award, Tim Wilkins, CEO at Dale Power Solutions, said: “Being a company with under 300 employees makes us relatively small for the Large Employer category so we were thrilled to win this award for the Yorkshire and Humber region.”
“One third of our apprentices are female and having two of our apprentices, Mickyle Clark and Hannah Magowan, awarded with Higher/Degree Apprentice and Advanced Apprentice in the regional finals is the icing on the cake.”
The ceremony also saw Dale Power Solutions named in the prestigious Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer list. The list, which is compiled annually by the National Apprenticeship Service, sponsored by Centrica, recognises excellence in businesses that employ apprentices.
UK skills and apprenticeships minister Anne Milton said: “The National Apprenticeship Awards ceremony is a great opportunity to celebrate the work so many individuals and employers have done to champion apprenticeships.”
“I want to congratulate everyone that was a part of these awards for their contribution to apprenticeships in England. They are all fantastic advocates of hard work and ambition, and they highlight how apprenticeships are a great route into skilled employment for people of all ages and backgrounds.”
Sue Husband, director of the National Apprenticeship Service, added: “The National Apprenticeship Awards showcase the breadth of apprenticeships on offer in a range of dynamic industries across the country. Apprenticeships are for everyone and I thank every employer and apprentice celebrated for their passion for, and commitment to, apprenticeships.”
“This year’s winners are all shining examples of how apprenticeships develop outstanding talent whilst enhancing the incredible work of employers. I am certain all of our winners have a bright future thanks to the enriching benefits that apprenticeships bring.”
(Pictured, from left to right: Tim Wilkins and Mark Carter of Dale Power Solutions)
Credit: National Apprenticeship Service
