The awards now in their 13th year, showcase many success stories and the benefits of apprenticeships across England.

Businesses and apprentices fought off tough competition by demonstrating how employers are growing their own talent with apprenticeships and how apprentices have made a significant contribution to their workplaces.

The North East and Yorkshire and the Humber winners and highly commended entries were announced at an awards ceremony held at the Royal York Hotel, York.

This year’s winners for the North East are:

Apprentice categories:

• Award for Intermediate Apprentice of the Year: Michelle Wale, Keepmoat
• EAL Award for Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Daniel Young, Caterpillar
• The Nuclear Decommissioning Site Licence Companies Award for the Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year: Jayne Eley, Proctor and Gamble Technical Centre

And highly commended:

• Award for Intermediate Apprentice of the Year: Gaynor Rose Baker, Treats Tea Shop
• Award for Intermediate Apprentice of the Year: Kyle Peebles, The North East Ambulance Service
• EAL Award for Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Francesca Clarke, Nifco UK Ltd

Employer categories:

• Unilever Small Employer of the Year: Blu Sky Tax
• BAE Systems Award for Large Employer of the Year: Nifco UK Ltd
• EON Award for Macro Employer of the Year: Northumbria Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
• Santander Award for Newcomer SME of the Year: Great Annual Savings Group

And highly commended in the employer categories are:

• BAE Systems Award for Large Employer of the Year: Sage
• BAE Systems Award for Large Employer of the Year: Hays Travel

This year’s winners for Yorkshire and the Humber are:

Apprentice categories:

• Award for Intermediate Apprentice of the Year: Charlotte Blowers, Exceed
• EAL Award for Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Kairon – Leona Flowers, Interserve Learning & Employment
• The Nuclear Decommissioning Site Licence Companies Award for the Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year: Natasha Pitts, Dale Power Solutions Limited

And highly commended:

• Award for Intermediate Apprentice of the Year: Alicia Schofield, 315 Bar and Restaurant
• EAL Award for Advanced Apprentice of the Year: Molly Charlesworth, Magna Science Adventure Centre

Employer categories:

• Unilever Small Employer of the Year: Ebsford Environmental Ltd
• Medium Employer of the Year: Michael and Margaret Naylor and Associates
• BAE Systems Award for Large Employer of the Year: Yorkshire Housing
• EON Award for Macro Employer of the Year: Lloyds Banking Group
• Santander Award for Newcomer SME of the Year: Craggs Energy Ltd

And highly commended:

• Medium Employer of the Year: Genix Healthcare Ltd
• Medium Employer of the Year: Nexus Vehicle Management
• BAE Systems Award for Large Employer of the Year: Portakabin Ltd
• EON Award for Macro Employer of the Year: Asda Stores Ltd

Following the 6 regional ceremonies taking place across England, winners from each category will have their entries sent for national judging. Three from each category will then be selected as national finalists. The very best employer category entries are also in the running to feature in the prestigious Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list 2016.

Skills and Apprenticeships Minister Robert Halfon said:

Apprenticeships are a ladder of opportunity, giving young people and adults the chance they deserve to get on and fulfil their potential.

Congratulations to everyone that has taken part in the National Apprenticeship Awards so far and the winners representing the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber. They have demonstrated just how much businesses and learners can gain from an apprenticeship.

Sue Husband, director, National Apprenticeship Service, added:

The National Apprenticeship Awards enable talented apprentices and committed employers to receive the recognition they truly deserve. Our awards not only celebrate the achievements of apprentices and businesses alike but they also encourage others to get involved in apprenticeships.

Today’s winners are the best of the best in the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber. I congratulate each and every one of them on their success and for those heading to the national finals, the very best of luck.

National award winners and the Top 100 Employers will be announced at a ceremony held on 20 January 2017 in London.

This year’s sponsors for the North East and Yorkshire and the Humber awards are NE LEP (North East, Yorkshire & Humber), px Group, YH Training Services Ltd, Yorkshire Housing and YPO.

To find out more information about apprenticeships or the apprenticeship awards visit GOV.UK.

Alternatively call 08000 150 600 or follow @apprenticeships on Twitter or National Apprenticeship Service on LinkedIn.