Stand-out apprentices and employers recognised at West Lancs business breakfast awards

Sep 27 2012 by Rob Pattinson, Ormskirk Advertiser

STAND-OUT apprentices and employers were recognised at a business breakfast event in West Lancs.

More than 100 people from the private, public and community sectors attended the “Stronger Together” business breakfast organised by West Lancashire Borough Council and the West Lancashire Challenge Project, in association with Downtown in Business, at West Lancashire Investment Centre, Skelmersdale.

Guest speaker was Steven Broomhead, board member of the Lancashire Enterprise Partnership, who has long- established links to West Lancashire, having previously worked as vice- principal of the then Skelmersdale College in the 1980s, as well as having more recently headed up the North- west Regional Development Agency.

Mr Broomhead answered questions on a range of business issues and talked about his time working in West Lancashire and one of his current roles as chairman of Warrington Wolves Rugby League Club.

A key part of the event was the West Lancashire Challenge Apprenticeship Awards 2012.

The Large Apprenticeship Employer award winner was SCA Hygiene Products Ltd, with highly commended going to IKO PLC.

The SME Apprentice Employer Award went to IT Managed Services Ltd, with highly commended going to Marshall Abram Garage.

Apprentice of the Year was Stevie Best, of SCA Hygiene Products Ltd, while Alexander Mafi, of IT Managed Services Ltd, was highly commended, along with Dylan Clapcott, of Marshall Abram Garage.

The event was rounded off with a panel discussion which included Louise Dawson, Principal of West Lancashire College; Michael Wood, Contracts Director, Advanced Contract Joinery; Steven Broomhead and West Lancs councillor Adrian Owens, portfolio holder for regeneration and estates.

Cllr Owens said: “I was pleased that so many people from such a wide range of businesses came along to make this special event so successful. I would also like to congratulate all the companies and apprentices who won awards at the first-ever West Lancashire Challenge Apprentice Awards.”

Mark Mannering, site manager of SCA Hygiene Products’ Skelmersdale mill, said: “We have a well-established apprenticeship scheme and were delighted to have it recognised in this way. And, of course, we take enormous pride in Stevie Best’s richly deserved award as Apprentice of the Year.”