Entries for the Dorset Apprenticeship Awards opened on 5 February – the beginning of National Apprenticeship Week – and close on 15 March.

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

Awards will be presented in five categories at an awards ceremony with the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset on 17 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
• 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: “We are excited to open the Apprenticeship Awards for entries.

“They recognise and celebrate the invaluable contribution that apprentices make to businesses and the economy in Dorset.

“Apprenticeships can transform lives and kickstart careers while supporting the growth and excellence of businesses.

“Apprentices are the future of our business community and I look forward to reading some truly inspirational entries.”

Entrants must be undertaking a traineeship or apprenticeship programme, or have completed a programme within the last 12 months.

Tim Brown, managing director of Wimborne-based Superior, said: “We are delighted to support apprenticeships and trainee programmes across Dorset, to highlight the fantastic benefits that they bring to both the business and the apprentice as they develop their career path.”

The award ceremony will be held at Superior. Each winner will be profiled in the Dorset Business Focus magazine.

The Dorset Apprenticeship Awards are separate to the Dorset Business Awards, which are being held in October of this year as part the chamber’s Business Festival.

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

Last year’s winners were Nicky Sayers from Avon Magnetics Ltd in Christchurch, Katie Smith from BBD Boom in Bournemouth and Florence Hudson from the Poole office of JPP.

The chamber, which celebrates its 75^th anniversary this year was named as one of the top five chambers of commerce in the UK during 2023.

Visit https://dorsetchamber.co.uk/dorset-apprenticeship-awards-2024/ for more information and to enter.