Camden gives a ‘Big Thank You’ to apprentices
Camden’s apprentices and employers celebrated the eighth annual National Apprenticeship Week on Thursday 12 March.A ‘Big Thank You’ event at the Grange Hotel Holborn acknowledged the achievements of existing apprentices and thanked employers for their support.
The winners were:
· Best team player: Ella Ford (Apprentice Conference Administrator – Unison)
· Most reliable apprentice: Shahan Tarafdar (Apprentice Housing Officer - Camden Council’s Housing Management team)
Most improved apprentice: Genesis Montanez-Valle (Apprentice Receptionist -Grange Hotel) and Sophie Wilkinson (Organising Unit Apprentice – Unison)
· Best customer focus: Joana Heliotrope (Customer Services Apprentice -Camden Council’s Culture and Customers team)
· Supervisor of the year: David Parkes (Florida State University)
· Apprentice of the year: Noor Al-Baddawy (Business Administration Apprentice - Camden Council’s Communities team)
During the week, our apprenticeships team hosted an apprenticeship awareness event at Kings Cross Construction Skills Centre. Young people met prospective employers and were given the chance to make a lasting impression through a series of speed interviews and employability workshops.
Last year our apprenticeships scheme supported more than 240 young people into apprenticeships, helping employers to source motivated 16-24 years olds to fill skills gaps in a wide range of sectors.

Councillor Sarah Hayward, leader of Camden Council, said:
“Many congratulations to the apprentices and employers. Camden is a fantastic place and has the potential to offer a wealth of opportunity to the next generation. We recognise that apprenticeships provide an excellent way for businesses to tackle skills shortages, succeed and grow.
“Apprentices also make loyal employees who are eager to prove the value of the investment their employers have made in them. This is why we are committed to creating 240 apprenticeships every year for Camden young people. “