BEST's apprentices have excelled at this year's East Midlands Training Group Awards, winning four awards.

The Awards were organised in association with our sponser Pegler Yorkshire and were held at The Burleigh Court, Loughborough University

The winners were:

• Senior Gold Apprentice of the Year - Robert Tate, employed by Star Refrigeration. Robert has now completed his four year apprenticeship and has achieved his Level 2 and Level 3 NVQs in Refrigeration and Air Conditioning.
• Intermediate Apprentice of the Year – Jonathan Carrier, employed by Derbyshire County Council. Jonathan has completed his Level 2 NVQ in Heating and Ventilating and has now started his Level 3 qualification.
• Junior Apprentice of the Year – Christopher Makin, employed by Derry Building Services, Newark, Nottingham who has completed the first year of his apprenticeship in Heating and Ventilating.
• Outstanding Achievement of the Year – Jack Lowe, also employed by Derry Building Services, Newark, Nottingham. Jack has completed his Level 2 NVQ in Heating and Ventilating and has started work towards his Level 3 NVQ.

 Left to right –Clinton (Pegler Yorkshire), Jack Lowe, Robert Tate, Christopher Makin, Jonathan Carrier and Dr. Mark Brenner (CEO, BEST Ltd)

The awards were attended by Ms Sue Sharp, Vice President of the Heating and Ventilating Contractors Association (HVCA) who congratulated the winners on their awards.

She said: "The HVCA decided to give a new award this year, as we wish to raise the profile of those entering management with the use of a structured training scheme.

"Recent research has confirmed that over 80% of management in our industry have received no formal management training, which in itself cannot be good for either the companies concerned, or for the industry as a whole.

"There are now excellent routes to membership of the Institute of Learning Management, with whom both the HVCA and BEST are working, and we would commend these to our members and all in the industry."

Dr. Mark Brenner, CEO of BEST congratulated the winners on their awards.

He said: "I am delighted to congratulate our winners at these prestigious awards, who are all testament to the way in which BEST works closely and effectively with colleges, and employers. The self motivation and discipline exhibited by all award winners has been rightly recognised by their industry at an event they will hopefully cherish on their way to a rewarding career"