Missed this back in June - apologies to young Gary!

 Penzance resident named South West Young Apprentice of the Year.

Gary Nicholls of Mounts Bay Engineering is celebrating today after winning the Young Apprentice of the Year Award at the South West Skills Awards, which took place on the 2nd June). The prestigious ceremony, which took place at Sandy Park conference centre in Exeter, was presented by BBC’s former chief news correspondent, Kate Adie, OBE. Kate, who is the current presenter of Radio 4’s From Our Own Correspondent, delivered a keynote speech about her own experience learning essential skills on the job. This journalistic theme was reinforced by compere Clinton Rogers, the BBC’s Chief Somerset Correspondent.

The South West Skills Awards recognise and celebrate the achievements of apprentices, learners and employers who have excelled in the region. Run by the Skills Funding Agency and the National Apprenticeship Service, the evening combined the Skills Awards with the South West regional heat of the National Apprenticeship Awards.

Gary Nicholls of Mounts Bay Engineering will go on to the national Apprenticeship Awards ceremony at Westminster Plaza in Central London on 15 July 2010 where he will be amongst the best from England. Dr John Chudley, Regional Director for the South West National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) agreed: “These awards recognize individuals at every stage of life and career, and the  contributions of employers, both large and small, spanning all sectors.