Council names apprentice of the year winners
Published 22 February 2012
Two young people who have been working with Southwark Council have been crowned as the authority's apprentices of the year.
During National Apprenticeship week, Southwark invited nominations for the council's "Apprentice of the Year" title.
The selection panel were so impressed with the standard of the applicants that they decided on joint winners with three 'highly praised' runner ups.
Hollie O'Shea, 19, from Bermondsey and Summer Field, 17, from Rotherhithe, clinched the joint first prize. The runner-ups were Rochelle Shannon, 20, from Peckham, Rye, Andrew Hadaway, 18 and Sophie Haddow, 21, both from Bermondsey.
Hollie, has worked as a trainee benefits officer since last September and said: "I've really enjoyed being a participant on the council's apprenticeship scheme and it has not only helped me to gain some valuable skills but offered me an alternative way to get a qualification."
Jackie Barlow, the council's benefits leader and Hollie's mentor said: "Hollie is a conscientious, highly motivated individual who is more than capable to achieving set targets.
"A benefit practitioner has to take many things into consideration including hundreds of Central Government legislative welfare benefit acts, as well as Southwark's local policies and procedures and Hollie was never daunted by this challenge."
Summer, who is currently serving her one year apprenticeship in the council's home ownership unit, said: "It's great working in home ownership and as I have my own property the experience has been even more relevant to me."
Chris Flynn, a collections manager in housing services and Summer's mentor, said: "Summer has the ability to excel with every challenge presented to her. She works well under pressure, she's determined to deliver department targets and provide an improved service for our residents."
More than 160 Southwark residents have started the apprenticeship scheme since it began in 2006. The programme has helped 44 people access higher level qualifications or university and to date 73 people have secured permanent employment on leaving the scheme. At present, 124 individuals have completed the full framework qualification.
Catherine McDonald, cabinet member for children's services said: "We are committed to providing local people with apprenticeship opportunities, particularly when youth unemployment is so high across the borough and the country as a whole. "
Southwark Council is keen to work with partners in the borough to expand the apprenticeship opportunities available to local people.
Any organisations who would like to find out more information should contact Ann Cochrane in the council's organisational development team on 020 7525 1490.
