Suffolk New College celebrated top performing apprentices during their annual awards ceremony this week.
The occasion took place at Chefs’ Whites restaurant in Ipswich and saw nine learners scoop accolades for their efforts in subject areas that ranged from engineering to electrical installation.
Out of those winners, the Suffolk New College Executive Team crowned an overall champion – and this title went to Frederick Klingsick who works for the Ipswich based company called ST Accountancy Services Ltd.
Fred’s programme went so well, his company stated: “As a result of Fred’s successful apprenticeship we have been inspired to hire a further two apprentices to join the team.” (Both of the new apprentices attended the awards event).
On winning the award Fred, 20, from Reydon said: “The apprenticeship scheme is really good here (at Suffolk New College) and I want to thank all the tutors, the support staff and my employer for giving me the opportunity. This is amazing and I’m really happy.”
Sean Thorogood is the managing director of ST Accountancy Services Ltd. He said: “I’m absolutely elated – and it’s fully deserved for Fred. He did two levels in one year, supported two other apprentices and he has been fantastic.”
Jane Thorp – an award-winning electrician from Leiston – won the overall runners-up prize. (In 2023 Jane won the first event female SPARKS national skills competition).
Alan Pease is the Principal and CEO of Suffolk New College. He said: “Our apprenticeship programme supports around 850 people of all ages and works with hundreds of businesses in the East – as well as in other parts of the UK.
“All of the winners have shown an array of qualities demonstrating commitment, determination, hard work and resilience. It was powerful to hear their stories and celebrate their successes during a sensational night at one of the county’s top eateries (Chefs’ Whites). Huge congratulations to all the winners and a big thanks to all of the companies who attended and for their work in supporting the next generation of business superstars.”
This event was held ahead of a campaign called National Apprenticeship Week that helps champion and celebrate the positive impact of these qualifications and the apprenticeship manager of the college, Leanne Honey feels the value of these programmes is growing in stature.
Leanne – who is an apprenticeships manager at the college – said: “The days of seeing apprenticeships as being a poor substitute to A levels and university are long gone. More and more people are choosing this pathway.
“They get to learn real skills in real situations – and they also get paid. The vast majority of apprentices who we support also go on and gain full-time jobs. They (apprenticeships) are a fantastic first step towards a successful career and it was a proud and humbling experience to hear the many success stories during the awards night.”
Leanne continued: “In some sectors we are seeing a real demand-led apprenticeship curriculum developing and the collaboration between employers and the College is vital to delivering high-quality provision. This demand has seen the College invest in new facilities to increase capacity in a number of areas with additional facilities being launched in Spring 2025 for Electrical Installation for example. This continued investment will ensure that apprenticeships remain at the forefront of delivering the local and regional skills need as we look to support the future workforce.”
All winners received a certificate and a trophy.
The overall sponsor of this event was S & P Ventilation.
A special award was also handed out to Harvey Bell – a BBC apprentice who worked with the college to showcase apprenticeships as part of an eight-part series that aired on Radio Suffolk.
All food was prepared by students under the guidance of staff who run food-related programmes at the college’s successful Suffolk Centre for Culinary Arts, based in Chefs’ Whites Restaurant.
Other winners were: Kurtis Orris (plumbing), Kacey Beech (childcare) and Charlie Hudson (carpentry) – all from Ipswich. Jake Harvey (farming) from Hitcham near Stowmarket, Jane Thorp (electrical installation) from Leiston, Olivia Smith (horticulture) from Wymondham, Ned Coles (construction) from Stowmarket and Joe George (motor vehicle) from Great Ashfield near Bury St Edmunds.