After promoting the value of women in STEM and apprenticeships to Sir Keir Starmer last year, a Beccles resident has just been given top honours at an annual awards ceremony held in Ipswich.
Gemma Moss, 24, who works for Sizewell C, was crowned Suffolk New College apprentice of the year during an occasion held in Chefs’ Whites restaurant.
The civil engineer from Beccles was one of ten category winners and was chosen as the overall winner for being a trailblazer in terms of her efforts to promote engineering and STEM careers to other girls and women. (Gemma also picked up the engineering apprentice of the year).
Gemma said, “I was grateful to be put forward for this. I do a lot for women in STEM, and so does Sizewell C.
“Last year, I met the Prime Minister, and it was great for a woman in the industry to have their photo spread far and wide. We discussed how I came into the industry.
“On winning the overall apprentice of the year, I’d say it’s overwhelming. I didn’t expect it. I’ve had so much support around me to help me get this award – so I’m very grateful.”
Other winners included multi award winning Jane Thorp from Leiston, who picked up the electrical apprentice of the year.
19-year-old Jane and Gemma went to the same primary school (St Mary’s in Benhall) and hadn’t seen each other for ten years before reuniting at the awards ceremony. Like the overall winner, Gemma, Jane has been a trailblazer in terms of promoting electrical careers to females. (In addition to this award, the teenager from Leiston was buzzing with this victory, having previously won Jane won the SPARKS Female Skills Winner 2023 and the Suffolk Joint Construction Committee’s (SJCC) top building apprentice of the year).
And Jack Ryall, 18 from Framlingham – who is the first person in his family to work in farming – received the agricultural apprentice of the year accolade.
The event was part of a national government led campaign called National Apprenticeship Week that aims to put these qualifications in the spotlight.
Daniel King is the Director of Apprenticeships at Suffolk New College and he hosted. He said: “I extend my admiration to every single one of you (award winners). Our commitment to supporting individuals and businesses in developing skills for the future remains unwavered. Congratulations to all award winners and thanks to our sponsors Concertus and S&P UK Ventilation.”
Kerry Briggs works for one of two key sponsors called Concertus, who design and manages the building of buildings. He said: “Suffolk New College are an Ipswich based company and we try very hard to support Suffolk. We have apprentices ourselves. I was an apprentice who studied at the college 42 years ago, and I find them more vocational, you learn on the job, get qualifications and experience.”
Lee Reynolds from S&P UK Ventilation is the Business Development Executive. The representative from the other key sponsor said, “We recently took on two apprentices, and we are fully invested in training local youth and giving them opportunities in the future.”
All winners received a trophy, a power pack and £150.00. The overall winner, Gemma Moss and runner up (19-year-old Nathan Berry from Framlingham – who also picked up the construction apprentice of the year) received an additional £150.00.
