Barnsley College supports apprentices in Shropshire

Barnsley College was proud to sponsor the Apprentice of the Year Award at the Upskill Shropshire Apprenticeship Awards.

The prestigious event was held at Shirehall in Shrewsbury on Tuesday 12 November. The awards celebrated Shropshire Council apprentices on their commitment, contribution and the difference they made to the future success of the Council. They acknowledged achievements across all key departments including HR, Adult Services and Property Services.

The winner of the Apprentice of the Year Award, Lorelei Damasco, a current Level 2 Children and Young People’s Workforce Apprentice, was nominated for the award by her manager Tracie Watson. Tracie said: “Since starting her role in August 2018, I have been hugely impressed with Lorelei’s commitment to the role and the range of skills that she has brought to the post.”

“Since starting her role in August 2018, I have been hugely impressed with Lorelei’s commitment to the role and the range of skills that she has brought to the post.”

Three other Apprentices, Leanne Thompson, a Level 3 Accounting Apprentice; Leanne Lilwall, a Level 2 Business Administration Apprentice; and Alex Morris, a Level 3 Construction Technical and Professional: Construction Contracting Operations Apprentice, were presented with runner-up awards.

On receiving her award, Lorelei said: “Being nominated and winning this award has made me feel proud, motivated and enthusiastic to keep doing what I do. My tutor has supported and guided me every step of the way and she has helped me fit my course into my role as a Leaving Care Ambassador.”

Karen Roberts, Project Manager for Apprenticeships in Shropshire for Barnsley College, spoke at the event about the history of apprentices, highlighting famous apprentices of the past, including Stella McCartney, Sir Alex Ferguson and Jamie Oliver. The event was attended by current and former apprentices, along with their line managers and families, and senior managers at the Council who are leading the apprenticeship scheme through Upskill Shropshire.

Karen explained: “Barnsley College won the tender to be the preferred supplier for both Shropshire Council and Telford and Wrekin Council in June 2019. Since then, we have already enrolled 35 apprentices over a diverse set of programmes ranging from Teaching Assistants to Data Analysts.

“The College is developing a training room based at Shirehall, the main Council site in Shrewsbury, where the aim is to provide training and support to both Councils and also to local employers.”

Photographed (left-right): Karen Bradshaw, Director of Children and Young People’s Services, Shropshire Council; Leanne Lilwall, Lorelei Damasco, Alex Morris, Leanne Thompson and Karen Roberts; Project Manager, Apprenticeships in Shropshire, Barnsley College.