London apprenticeships awards success
Camden Council, Camden Apprenticeships and King’s Cross Construction Skills Centre have been recognised in three categories at the London Borough Apprenticeships Awards.
Our Contact Camden manager, Richard Merritt won the Best Manager or Mentor Award, while King’s Cross Construction Skills Centre apprentice Nicola Monks, who now works in the Council’s repairs team, won Best Progression by an Apprentice. The awards, which took place yesterday (Tuesday, 3 September) at the historic Apothecaries' Hall in East London are run by London Councils.
Richard was recognised for going above and beyond in creating new apprenticeships, having created 13 posts in his service since 2014 – more than any other manager in the Council. His forward-thinking approach means he ensures flexible, part-time hours are available and he also offers apprenticeship ‘tasters’ to people with learning difficulties, disabilities and health conditions.
Nicola, who began her apprenticeship after the youngest of her three children started school, had no experience in construction but was willing to start from scratch. She joined a level 1 course at our King’s Cross Construction Skills Centre, where she learned the basics of plumbing, carpentry, bricklaying and electrics. While on the course, she entered a skills competition alongside level 2 carpenters and won first place before successfully applying for a level 2 carpentry apprenticeship within the Council’s repairs team.
Meanwhile, the Camden Apprenticeships and KXCSC team was highly commended for their work with supply chains - creating opportunities through our planning agreements and procurement processes, as well as our work with schools.
Councillor Georgia Gould, Leader of Camden Council, was the compere for the event in her role as Deputy Chair of London Councils and its Executive Member for Skills and Employment.
Apprenticeships are powerful examples of what local government can do to strengthen the community it represents and serves. These programmes create meaningful opportunities for individuals of all ages, levels of experience, and backgrounds, providing invaluable upskilling and training for a diverse number of career paths. The apprentices and councils that have won this year’s awards demonstrate how hard-working, talented and passionate the individuals who take on and support apprenticeships are. The London Borough Apprenticeships Awards are also a testament to the outstanding levels of support and training that councils provide, ensuring their communities can be enriched and empowered through skills development and training.
Camden Apprenticeships offer the chance to earn while you learn, update your skills, get back into work or make a career change. They are open to anyone aged 16 and above - there's no upper age limit and graduates are also eligible.
If you're a Camden resident, a former Camden secondary school student or a Camden care leaver and looking for your next move, visit our website or email [email protected]