Apprentices awarded for their hard work at Kingston Maurward College (From Dorset Echo)

Apprentices awarded for their hard work at Kingston Maurward College

2:30pm Friday 8th February 2013 in News By James Tourgout

PROUD apprentices picked up their awards at a presentation ceremony at Kingston Maurward College.

They received their awards in front of fellow students, staff, friends, parents and employers at the event.

Kingston Maurward College principal Clare Davison, chairman of governors Peter Edwards and chairman of the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership Gordon Page gave an address at the Apprenticeship Awards Evening.

There were apprentice awards in such subjects as animal care, arboriculture, equine, environmental conservation, horticulture, butchery, IT, retail and customer service, and active leisure and learning.

The overall Smart Recruitment Apprentice of the year Award went to Ted Burridge, who also received the Kingston Maurward Trees and Timber Apprenticeship Award.

Tutor Jen Newman said: “Ted has worked incredibly hard over the past two years to complete his apprenticeship.

“During his time in college Ted has become a role model for the other students.

“They ask him for advice and he takes time to help them progress with practical activities like tree climbing and tree felling.

“It has been a privilege to watch Ted progress from a novice to fully trained arborist and I am very pleased he has decided to further his training and career by undertaking his advanced apprenticeship in arboriculture at Kingston Maurward College.”

Ted’s employer, Chris Pottinger from Treetech in Christchurch, added his praise for Ted.

He said: “Ted is keen to have a go at everything, and he listens.

“If he’s not completely sure about something, he’ll ask, which is why he’s learning, and is so successful.

“I am very proud of him.”

Jo Adkins, from Smart Recruitment, paid tribute to Ted.

She said: “Ted has worked hard during his apprenticeship and as a result of this programme now aspires to run his own business.

“Not only has the apprenticeship given him key skills and a qualification, but it has taught him to rise to challenges and aim to be the best that he can be.”

750-acre estate

Kingston Maurward College, which is just outside Dorchester, is set in a 750-acre estate.

It includes a Georgian main building, commercial farm, laboratories, training areas, animal care unit and a new £1m purpose built skills centre. Course areas include agriculture, horticulture, food, outdoor adventure and sports coaching, countryside management, foundation learning, animal care, equine studies, construction, army preparation, IT business and professional, and business administration and finance.