14 Feb 2014
Babcock’s Skills and Learning business clinches skills accolade in ‘Best of British Engineering’ Awards
Babcock has again been recognised for its training excellence, this time by SEMTA, the UK’s leading engineering skills body.
The Babcock Engineering Academy at HMS Sultan in Gosport won Training Partnership of the Year in the Semta ‘Best of British Engineering’ awards in London where the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Vince Cable gave the opening address. The winning trophy was presented to Kelvin Roberts, Babcock Engineering Operations Manager, by the MD for EAL, Julia Chippendale and TV personality, Michael Underwood.
Babcock was one of three businesses shortlisted in what was the inaugural Skills Award ceremony for the engineering sector’s skills council.
The award recognises excellence and achievement by a training partner in supporting and delivering training programmes for employers and inspiring businesses across the engineering, manufacturing and energy sectors.
Babcock’s entry focused on its unique advanced residential apprenticeship programme, an employer-driven programme that delivers a rigorous academic and vocational training equivalent to a university degree. It builds significantly on the normal Apprenticeship Framework by creating unique and innovative programmes that deliver vocational skills and experience over and above what is expected. These include a leadership, management and healthy lifestyle programme and a ‘Crossing Borders’ initiative that sets an overseas challenge for apprentices to enhance and develop their initiative and leadership potential.
Operations Manager at the Academy, Kelvin Roberts, said:
“This award is a significant accolade from the UK’s lead skills council for the engineering and energy sectors. It reflects the benchmark standard and professionalism of our skills delivery at The Babcock Engineering Academy in two key industry areas that are so vital to future economic growth in the UK.
‘This achievement would not be possible without the solid working partnership we have developed with EDF Energy, Network Rail and BAE Systems. It is a clear endorsement of the Babcock standard of skills delivery in these two key industry areas. Babcock has also recently increased their capability within manufacturing, delivering training to apprentices in partnership with Jaguar Land Rover.
“The Academy can be rightfully proud that our collective hard work and effort were acknowledged in front of our peers and customers, and we just can’t put a price on that level of reputation. This represents a huge achievement and we should all be exceptionally proud of the work and impact we have on the lives of the apprentices in our charge. We set them on an exceptional career pathway with confidence, competence and outstanding personal values, and it shows.”
Ann Watson, Semta’s Chief Operating Officer said: “Babcock is a world class company which is reflected in its superb training programmes and facilities. They are helping create the engineers for the future – so vital if the UK is to continue to deliver the skills which make our engineers the best in the world.”
Babcock has been working with EDF since 2008 and with BAE Systems and Network Rail since 2005.
L:R Kelvin Roberts receives award from Julia Chippendale