On 10th December GEN II held their North Cumbria Learner Awards Ceremony for 2008 celebrating the success and achievement of apprentices and learners in completing their first year of training with GEN II.
This was the second of two awards ceremonies and follows on from the successful West Cumbrian event in which GEN II welcomed 400 learners and guests in Whitehaven’s Civic Hall.
The North Cumbria ceremony was held in GEN II’s Carlisle Skills Centre on Kingmoor Park. The evening was something of a double celebration as it also marked the 1st year anniversary of the official opening of the centre.
Mike Smith, Managing Director of GEN II welcomed over 100 learners and guests. Many of Carlisle’s leading employers were in attendance at the ceremony as well as GEN II’s partner companies, Sellafield Ltd, Amec, Iggesund, Innovia Films, Corus and UKAEA.
In his opening speech Mike Smith explained “Over the past 8 years over 800 apprentices have been trained by GEN II and this year we mark the 1000th young person to start their apprenticeship with the company and our 100th apprentice in the Carlisle Centre. On behalf of everyone at GEN II I would like to thank those organisations in Carlisle and North Cumbria who have supported GEN II through our first year and made the centre the success it is today.
There were 9 awards presented in total recognising best apprentice for each discipline, as well as a community award and adult learner of the year award. The award winners were:
• Stewart Bragg, Mechanical Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored by Complete Engineering Services
• Robert Green, Fabrication Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored by Bendalls Engineering
• Matthew Pagan, Electrical Engineering Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored by Hunter Engineering
• Andrew Bell, Process Apprentice of the Year
Sponsored by Innovia Films
• Stuart Parker, Most Improved Learner Award
Sponsored by Furmanite
• Chris Scott, Jonathon Messenger and Stewart Bragg joint winners of the Youth Community Award
Sponsored by Carlisle City Council
• Malcolm Tanner, Breakthrough Award
Sponsored by Carlisle College
• Deborah Alderson, Adult Learner of the Year Award
Sponsored by McVities
The prestigious title of GEN II Learner of the Year was awarded to Matthew Pagan, who also won the Electrical Engineering Apprentice of the Year Award. Matthew received a total of £400 prize money, 2 engraved trophies and the GEN II Learner of the Year Trophy.
Guest speaker for the evening was Fiona Armstrong, News Broadcaster who provided a motivational speech for the guests and shared stories of her many trips and events over the past 25 years of her broadcasting career.
Eric Martlew, MP for Carlisle was unfortunately unable to attend the ceremony but extended an invitation to all of the award winners to attend a VIP tour of the House of Commons, Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, he said “In terms of education, Carlisle will see great changes in the next few years with the introduction of the new academies and University. Thanks to the work of GEN II and the aspirations of these learners and their employers, Carlisle and North Cumbria will continue to prosper despite the current economic climate. I would like to congratulate you all for your achievements. Your hard work and dedication represent our future.”
Amongst the special guests were Deputy Mayor and Mayoress of Carlisle, who were presented with a cheque on behalf of GEN II and the award sponsors for £250 for the Mayor’s chosen charities.
David Allen, Managing Director of David Allen Associates and Chief Executive of Carlisle United Football Club supported the event by kindly invitng the award winners to a VIP tour of Carlisle United and the opportunity to attend a match and meet the players. The trip will take place in the New Year.
