The glittering Themis Inspire and Achieve Awards 2024 have taken place, celebrating the success, the passion and the innovation of Themis Apprentices and leading employers in Lancashire.
The prestigious ceremony was held at Burnley Football Club and saw Themis Apprentices and Employers winning trophies in categories including Future Boss, Digital Pioneer and the Ultimate Vision Award and was generously sponsored by John Turner Construction.
Some 200 nominees, their family and friends, distinguished guests and proud employers attended the spectacular event, enjoying an exceptional menu and drinks.
Guests and nominees heard from Ribble Valley entrepreneur Sarwat Jaleel, founder of Kusbboo Soaps, an ethical international brand of luxurious, natural soaps, which has an inspirational message. For every bar sold, Kushboo donates another bar to people in vulnerable circumstances.
The audience were also addressed by inspirational Themis Engineering Degree Apprentice Grace Francis. Last year Grace, with her manager at HycAero, Stephen Kelly, was invited to join Themis to join them at a reception at 10 Downing Street for Skills Champions.
Grace spoke of her passion for engineering and how an apprenticeship offered her the opportunity to develop her skills and achieve a degree in a truly hands-on way, in contrast to classroom learning which didn’t inspire her. Grace also talked proudly of her desire to inspire other young women to follow in her footsteps and excel in the world of engineering.
To top off the incredible evening for Grace, she also received two awards, the Degree Apprentice Award and the Special Award for her outstanding contribution to Themis apprenticeships.
Winners received stunning, Themis-designed trophies, manufactured by learners at Burnley College using state-of-the-art, five-axis CNC machines which form part of the College’s Institute of Technology facilities and a cheque from event sponsors John Turner Construction.
Karen Buchanan, Chief Executive of Themis, the Apprenticeship Training Arm of Burnley College, said:
The Themis Inspire and Achieve Awards are a highlight in the Apprenticeship calendar and it was an honour to recognise those amazing Apprentices and Employers in the fabulous surroundings of Turf Moor.
– Karen Buchanan, Chief Executive of Themis, the Apprenticeship Training Arm of Burnley College
“Competition this year was tougher than ever, with a record number of nominees and shortlisted finalists. It made the judges’ job of choosing the winners incredibly difficult.
“Themis is proud of its track record in supporting the development of the very best Apprentices in the region – the Apprentices who go on to be a #futureboss and who make an incredible impact in the workplace.
“Thanks to their dedication – and the commitment of the forward-thinking employers who support our Themis Apprentices on their journey to success – we can be confident that industry in the region is in the safest of hands going forward.”
Follow in footsteps of our award-winning Apprentices by learning more about our industry-leading routes to success: https://www.burnley.ac.uk/themis-home/
Complete list of winners and nominees
The Ultimate Vision Award
Winner: Dawn Haczycki, from Blackburn
Property Maintenance Operative Apprentice, Onward Homes Ltd
The Future Boss Award
Winner: Jake Smith, from Burnley
Information Communications Technician Apprentice, Safran Group, Burnley
Highly Commended: Leah Briercliffe from Burnley
Chartered Manager Degree Apprentice, Burnley College
The Innovator Award
Winner: Maxwell Reid, from Clitheroe
Engineering Technician Standard (Mechatronics Apprentice) at Stolle, Altham
Highly Commended: Khya Peckham, from Barnoldswick
Engineering Technician (Machinist) Apprentice at Fort Vale Engineering, Simonstone
Nominated: Bradley Hayhurst, from Higham
Manufacturing Engineering Apprentice, Automotive Tools Ltd, Read
The Developing the Future Award
Winner: Isabelle Lockyer, from Burnley
Early Years Practitioner Apprentice, Giant Leap Learning and Childcare, Burnley
Highly Commended: Paula Sykes, from Barrowford
Early Years Educator Apprentice, Innisfree Child Care Ltd, Colne
Nominated: Mollie Patrick, from Clayton-le-Moors
Early Years Educator Apprentice , Oakhill College Nursery and Preschool, Whalley
The Sport & Fitness Award
Winner: Jessica Duxbury, from Burnley
Community Activator Coach Apprentice, Sanderson’s Dance & Fitness Centre, Brierfield
Highly Commended: Harris Tomlinson, from Burnley
Sports Coach Apprentice, Pro Sport Coaching, Ribble Valley
The Digital Pioneer Award
Winner: Ellie Young, from Clitheroe
Digital Marketing Apprentice, Root Fifty-Two, Burnley
Highly Commended: Alex Gill, from Todmorden
Digital Marketing Apprentice, Burnley College
Nominated: Sam Harris, from Rawtenstall
Digital Marketing Apprentice, LifeLab Supplements, Burnley
The Gold Apprentice Award
Winner: Racheal Slater, from Oswaldtwistle
Accounts Assistant Apprentice, HAPPA, Briercliffe
The Platinum Apprentice Award
Winner: Harrison Codd, from Burnley
Business Administration Apprentice, QUEST Electrical/ESP Play, Burnley
Nominated: Khya Peckham, from Barnoldswick
Engineering Technician (Machinist) Apprentice, Fort Vale Engineering, Simonstone
Joshua Riding, from Todmorden
AAT Apprentice, QUEST Electrical/ESP Play, Burnley
The Degree Apprentice Award
Winner: Grace Francis, from Wildsen
Engineering Design (Mechanical Engineering) Degree Apprentice, HycAero, Burnley
Nominated: Lydia Simm from Barrowford
Chartered Manager Degree Apprentice, Burnley College
Jordan Clarke, from Burnley
Chartered Manager Degree Apprentice, HycAero, Burnley
The Employer Award – up to 50 Employees
Winner: Pro Sport Coaching, Ribble Valley
Nominated: Speakman Contractors, Burnley
GHA Solutions, Derbyshire
The Employer Award – more than 50 Employees
Winner: Graham Engineering, Nelson
Highly Commended: Giant Leap Learning and Childcare, Burnley
Nominated: HycAero, Burnley
Johnson Matthey, Clitheroe
The Special Award
Winner: Grace Francis, from Wilsden
Engineering Design (Mechanical Engineering) Degree Apprentice, HycAero, Burnley
