Pictured above: (l-r) Award presenter Suzanne
Virdee with Jak Forester and Norma Hoskins of award sponsor
EDI
A Stoke-on-Trent teenager who creates metal sculptures has won
the title of the West Midlands Apprentice of the Year 2010.
Jak Forester, 19, was the first apprentice at PM Training in
Stoke-on-Trent - a social enterprise that tackles worklessness
among young people.
He has been busy making his mark via a series of metal art
creations, including a smoking shelter, sculptures and signage. His
work can be seen around North Staffordshire.
Jak was presented with his West Midlands Apprenticeship Award at
a ceremony hosted by the TV presenter Suzanne Virdee at the
Hippodrome in Birmingham. The Awards are organised by the National
Apprenticeship Service (NAS).
Also on the stage at the Hippodrome was Keele University's
Stephen Lewis, who was Highly Commended in the Apprentice of the
Year category, and Staffordshire County Council, which was Highly
Commended in the Macro Employer category.
Stephen, 44, a member of the grounds maintenance team at Keele
University, prepares sports pitches for students and other users
such as the Football Association. Previously a chef at the
University, Stephen was 43 when he started his Apprenticeship,
studying at Reaseheath College alongside teenagers.
In 2009 Staffordshire County Council pledged to recruit 250
apprentices on a rolling basis. The move will upgrade the skills of
its future workforce, from business administration roles to
teaching assistants, grounds maintenance and ICT.