Graduation ceremony crowns this year’s Apprentice of the Year

In total, almost 80 apprentices aged between 17 and 25 graduated this year – 17 were singled out for special awards after being nominated by training staff impressed by their attitude and achievements.

Jessica Tozer, an apprentice at Avery Weigh-Tronix, based in Gloucester, was named Apprentice of the Year after showing her ability, attitude and commitment, which has continued at the highest level throughout her apprenticeship. Her trainers were particularly impressed that in her second year she took on an even more challenging role in her company, which she managed successfully while still delivering high grades throughout her studies.

Described as “a fantastic engineer and an asset to her company,” the apprentice will now continue to forge her career at Avery Weigh-Tronix’s site in Gloucester.

EEF’s technology training centre opened its doors in 2014. Since then the centre has gone from strength-to-strength, with the number of new apprentices almost tripling.

Following a further £5m investment, work is nearing completion on a second site in Aston – the Technology Hub – and the centre expects to further boost its apprentice intake to over 420. It is working in partnership with 85 companies and there are still a handful of apprentice places left for ambitious young people looking to kick start an exciting, well-paid career.

Jessica Tozer commented:“I’m delighted with the skills and opportunities my apprenticeship has provided me. The support and experience I have gained from both my employer and the EEF training team has been invaluable and I’m now looking forward to driving my career even further forward. 

“There are still some apprenticeship places left at the centre so I would urge others to think seriously about applying. Manufacturing and engineering are a great career choice.” 

Christine Chapman, Technology Training Centre Manager at EEF, said:“Each year without fail I am impressed by the dedication, enthusiasm and drive that our apprentices bring to their training and to their jobs. Their achievements deserve recognition.”

Chapman added: “These young people are the future of our industry – they are hard-working and committed and this will undoubtedly see them enjoy great success in an interesting, exciting and rewarding career. At the same time, I would urge others to think seriously about following in their footsteps - we still have a handful of apprenticeship places left and I would love to see other enthusiastic young people snap them up.”