Apprentices praised at Wiltshire College & University Centre awards
Local apprentices have been recognised for their dedication and commitment at Wiltshire College & University Centre’s annual Apprenticeship Awards.
Held on Tuesday 4th February at the Civic Centre in Trowbridge, the ceremony brought together students, families, employers and college staff to celebrate the achievements of apprentices who have combined work with study to build their careers.
The main prize of the evening went to bricklayer Mantas Janulionis, winner of the Apprentice of the Year award and also Level 2 Bricklaying Apprentice of the Year.
Mantas, who works for T&B Developments near Malmesbury, said, “Winning was a shock but I feel really proud.
“I always knew I wanted to do something physical, so I started it and I loved it and had a talent for it. I pursued it and it has gone really well for me. I like the fact you can learn on the job with an apprenticeship. I’ve had great support and I like working with the older guys. Just gathering as much information as I can from them, trying to soak it all in has just been brilliant.”
Among the other winners was Owen Noyce of Blunsdon who won the Level 3 Livestock Unit Technician award.
Owen was praised for his remarkable resilience and consistently going above and beyond in his studies. Owen, who doesn’t come from a farming background, works at Brian and Tracy Joseph’s farm in Wanborough.
The 21-year-old left school and worked in retail with no real idea what career he really wanted to follow. “My next-door neighbour happened to know a dairy farmer, so he took me for an interview, with no CV or anything,” he said. “I had a chat with Brian and he decided he was going to take a risk with me.
“I knew I was a hard worker, but I didn’t realise how hard I could work when I was not pushed, how far I would go to help people, help the livestock.”
Archie Smith, 20, was crowned Apprentice of the Year for Level 2 Autocare Technician at the ceremony for the way he has applied himself to his studies. His employers Munich Motorworks in Harnham were also honoured at the awards as Small Apprenticeship Employer of the Year.
“I love being around cars so I thought the apprenticeship would be the best source of learning for me to go and achieve something,” said Archie.
Meanwhile, Tryston Barraclough – a third generation of carpenters working at the family firm, ADB Carpentry & Sons in Calne – won the Level 2 Site Carpentry award and Chef Kamila Los, won the Level 3 Hospitality Supervisor awards.
Kamila, who has worked at Bishopstrow Hotel & Spa in Warminster for 14 years, said, “I started the apprenticeship because I just wanted to improve myself and try to learn more about the job, try to prove that I’m good at it and then to see what I can do in the future. I’m definitely more confident.”
Lastly, Charlie Ellis, who worked at Good Energy in Chippenham during her apprenticeship, won the Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor award.
Charlie, who has now moved on to a new job, said, “It’s been an amazing experience because I’ve learned so much about everything from project management to budgets to data. Even though I’ve changed roles, I’m able to use a lot of those tools in my work.”
For more information about WCUC visit: www.wiltshire.ac.uk.
Pictured: (top of page) Mantas Janulionis, winner of the Apprentice of the Year award (centre) with CEO with Principal Iain Hatt and guest speaker Nicole Fever, a former apprentice at the college
