The End Use Apprentice of the Year went to an apprentice working in facilities management on the Park and engineering enterprise, Laing O’Rourke, scooped Employer of the Year.

The annual awards recognise the hard graft and dedication of apprentices and employers delivering the legacy of the London 2012 Games. More than 150 apprentices have played key roles in the new chapter of the Park, including transforming the former Olympic Stadium into a world-class, multi-use venue, laying the bricks at Chobham Manor  (the first of five new neighbourhoods), landscaping and maintaining the 560 acres of parklands, and fitting out state-of-the-art studios at east London’s new digital quarter, Here East.

Winner of the Construction Apprentice of the Year Award, Perry Burton, said: “I am really happy to have won the award as it shows my hard work and determination has paid off. Before I started my apprenticeship, I wasn’t that confident but now I’ve got better people skills and I’m more confident at taking on new work. An apprenticeship is the best way forward as you get to go to college and gain on site experience at the same time, quickly building up your skills.”

Below are the full list of winners:

• Construction Apprentice of the Year: Perry Burton, Construction Operative apprentice at K10
• End Use Apprentice of the Year: James Mitchell-Hall, Facilities Management apprentice at ENGIE
• Most Improved Apprentice: Renea Henry-Kemp, Active People, Active Park apprentice at the London Legacy Development Corporation
• Individual Achievement Award: Alex Folkes, apprentice at Unity Kitchen Café, Timber Lodge
• Best Work Placement/Intern: Joint winners: Femi Erinoso, Banksman/Gateman with Laing O’Rourke and Gabrielle Appiah, Soundings (UCL East)
• Employer of the Year: Laing O’Rourke
• Excellence in Mentoring and Supporting Apprentices: Dave Taylor, Electrical Site Manager , Laing O’Rourke, Here East
• Equalities and Inclusion Award: Unity Kitchen Café at Timber Lodge
• Making it Happen Partnership Award: Here East

This past year alone, 61 apprentices have started work on the Park including new higher-level apprenticeships in construction design with cladding sub-contractor, Lakesmere, and digital media apprenticeships with BT Sport at Here East.

Winner of the End Use Apprenticeship of the Year Award, James Mitchell-Hall, said: “I made the shortlist last year, so I was hoping this year would be my year! I went from being a fully qualified carpenter to being an apprentice because I knew it would help me to progress to a point in my career that would have taken me years to get to otherwise. Anyone thinking about doing an apprenticeship shouldn’t think, but just go for it; it’s a no-brainer.”

Apprenticeships on the Park have provided a springboard to future careers with a number of former apprentices having secured jobs in the hospitality, construction and media industries. Last year’s winner of the Apprentice of the Year Award, Steven Condon, undertook an apprenticeship with GLL in 2013 before working his way up to managerial level. He now oversees diving schools, Aqua Splash sessions and budding swimming stars as a Duty Manager at the London Aquatics Centre.

Juliana Postarini, Community and Regeneration Officer for Laing O’Rouke, winner of Employer of the Year award, said: “The Awards motivate the whole company to continue championing apprenticeships across the business and to constantly seek improvements to our apprenticeship programme. By adopting a flexible approach and working closely with our sub-contractors we have been able to provide a diverse range of apprenticeships on the Park, offering many young people the opportunity to gain new skills and essential workplace experience, giving them the perfect start to their careers.”

Building on the Park’s success to date, the future development of the cultural and education district Olympicopolis will provide a key vehicle to deliver a wide range of high quality and exciting employment and apprenticeship opportunities for young people, spanning the full skills spectrum.

David Goldstone, Chief Executive of the London Legacy Development Corporation, said: “Providing jobs and opportunities for young people is at the heart of the legacy of the London 2012 Games and we’re delighted to recognise the outstanding contribution apprentices and their employers make to the success of the Park at our annual awards. Huge congratulations to this year’s winners - I am sure that every single one of our apprentices has a bright future ahead of them.”

-Ends-

Images of last night’s winners are available at:http://www.2012imagelibrary.co.uk/library/token/580/9638c6b08a69300a1f548a37c1a594ecaa07b9c1

Hear the personal experiences of employers and apprentices on the Park in our latest film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pBsNQjKaxI

For more information contact the Press Office at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on +44 (0) 20 3734 9010 or email press@QueenElizabethOlympicPark.co.uk

Notes to Editors

Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park is a place unlike any other. Spread across 560 acres of beautiful parklands with historic waterways, famous sporting venues and a vibrant arts and events programme. At the Park’s centre sits the former Olympic Stadium, a world-class, multi-use venue that will play host to Premier League football, concerts and international athletics and, coming soon, The Slide at the ArcelorMittal Orbit. As the new heart of east London, the Park will provide future homes, jobs and an unrivalled education and cultural district housing Sadler’s Wells, V&A East, UAL’s London College of Fashion and UCL East.

The London Legacy Development Corporation promotes and delivers physical, social, economic and environmental regeneration in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and the surrounding area by maximising the legacy of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

For more information visit our website (QueenElizabethOlympicPark.co.uk), sign up to our e-newsletter (QueenElizabethOlympicPark.co.uk/subscribe), follow us on Twitter (@noordinarypark) and like us on Facebook (facebook.com/QueenElizabethOlympicPark)

Award categories

Apprentice of the Year: 
Recognises the apprentice who has made the biggest positive impact with their employer and has demonstrated a commitment to developing their career and inspiring others.

Most Improved Apprentice: 
Recognises the apprentice who has made an exceptional contribution to their workplace and demonstrated significant progress in their career.

Individual Achievement Award: 
Recognises an individual with an exemplary attitude and who has made an exceptional contribution to their workplace.

Best Work Placement/Intern: 
Recognises an individual who has made an exceptional contribution to their workplace whilst undertaking a paid work placement or internship on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park or for Park projects.

Employer of the Year: 
Commends exemplar employers who have demonstrated their ongoing commitment to apprenticeships, provided professional development beyond their baseline requirements and enable their apprentice(s) to be integrated into the wider workforce.

Excellence in Mentoring and Supporting Apprenticeships: 
Recognises the role that mentors and supervisors play in enhancing learning opportunities for their apprentices and providing support and guidance that enables them to succeed at work.

Equalities and Inclusion Award: 
Commends exemplar employers who can demonstrate their commitment to helping make Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park more inclusive and accessible for all by promoting opportunities and valuing diversity in the workplace.

Making it Happen Partnership Award:
Recognises a successful partnership which has supported the delivery of jobs and apprenticeships for local people on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.