The Dorset Apprenticeship Awards are now open for entries.

Dorset Chamber has joined forces with the Dorset and Somerset Training Provider Network for the initiative with sponsorship from manufacturing firm Superior Seals.

Honours in the second annual competition will be presented in four categories at an awards ceremony with the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset in May.

The categories are: Level 2 (Intermediate) Apprentice of the Year; Level 3 (Advanced) Apprentice of the Year; Level 4 or 5 Higher Apprentice of the Year and Degree Apprentice of the Year.

They are free to enter with entries invited from apprentices and their employers across the private, public and charitable sectors.

Ian Girling, chief executive of Dorset Chamber, said: “These awards will celebrate the hugely important contribution that apprentices make to business in Dorset.

“They also aim to recognise the personal achievements of apprentices and the impact of the apprenticeship programme on lives.

“Apprentices are the future of our business community. The inaugural awards held last year highlighted some truly inspirational stories and I’m looking forward to seeing more incredible entries this time around.”

Entrants must be currently undertaking an apprenticeship programme, or have completed a programme within the last 12 months. Entries close on 17 March.

Tim Brown, managing director of Wimborne-based Superior Seals, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Dorset Apprenticeship Awards once again as we are passionate believers in the benefits of apprenticeship training.

“Superior’s own experiences and results have far exceeded our expectations, and we are dedicated to encouraging other organisations to discover the fantastic advantages that having skilled apprentices within your system will bring.”

Each finalist, along with three guests, will be invited to an awards celebration lunch on 16 May.

Winners will be presented with their trophy by the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset in front of dignitaries. Each winner will be profiled in the Dorset Business Focus magazine, which is produced by Pulford Publicity.

The Dorset Apprenticeship Awards are separate to the Dorset Business Awards, which are being held in October of this year as part of a three-day festival of business.

They tie in with the chamber’s mission of ‘enabling better lives through business’.

Last year’s winners included Intermediate Apprentice of the Year Ellie Edmonds of ABP Yetminster, Advanced Apprentice of the Year Cameron Hearn of Frettens Solicitors, and Higher and Degree Apprentice of the Year Rebecca Buck of Dorset Council.

Visit https://dorsetchamber.co.uk/dorset-apprenticeship-awards/ for more information and to enter.