Northumberland apprentice Julie Mills has become an Apprentice of the Year at the National Apprenticeship Awards 2019. Speaking after receiving her award, Julie said: “I feel as if I am dreaming. I never thought I could achieve anything like this. Being an apprentice has changed my life but to be crowned the national winner is just amazing. ”Julie is employed by Northumberland Community Bank and has been taking an apprenticeship in customer services with Northumberland County Council’s learning and skills service.
The National Apprenticeship Awards showcase the diverse and growing range of sectors engaged with apprenticeships, whilst celebrating the achievements of outstanding apprentices, apprentice employers and individuals to inspire others to follow in their footsteps and champion apprenticeships across England.
Julie has overcome significant difficulties to turn her life around and prosper on her Apprenticeship. Her role has grown significantly and her hard working attitude, total commitment and friendly nature has made her indispensable in the bank and popular with the customers. It’s no surprise her employers were right behind her nomination.
Julie won the regional intermediate award after being shortlisted from thousands of nominees across the North East and has now gone on to compete on a national stage to become the UK’s best in her category.
Lauren Langton, chief executive of Northumberland Community Bank added: “We are very proud of Julie’s achievements and this national award, the first of its type for the North East is a fitting tribute to Julie and the community bank team.”
“For Julie to compete with all other apprentices in this category not only in the North East region but now across the whole of the UK is absolutely astounding, and a huge testament to her and all the team who have supported her.”
“This is an excellent example of some of the fantastic success stories we have from the council’s apprenticeship programme, and the fact that Julie has now moved on to the full-time role at the community bank has been the icing on the cake.”
Northumberland County Council’s learning and skills service in an approved apprenticeship training organisation and can support all stages of apprenticeships, from recruitment right through to celebrating an apprentice’s success in this way.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dbnTofMEfM&feature=youtu.be
Find out more about apprenticeships in Northumberland at www.northumberland.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsor call 01670 622104