To celebrate the end of Apprenticeship Week 2019, Weymouth College hosted their annual apprenticeship awards on Friday, March 8.

The top award was won by Tracey Anderson, a teaching assistant at Bincombe Valley Primary School, as she was named Apprentice of Year 2019.

She said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have won and completely shocked. I love working at Bincombe Valley Primary School and I am extremely lucky to work with such a great team.

"I look forward to going into work each day and it almost doesn’t seem like a job as I enjoy it way too much. The pupils and the staff make each day enjoyable.

"I would like to thank Rebecca Hale at Weymouth College for nominating me and for getting me through the course. She has been a massive support and help.

"I would also like to thank all the pupils and staff at Bincombe Valley Primary, especially the reception class team, who have put up with my constant questions. They really have taught me so much and I could not have done it without them.”

Rebecca Hale, Tracey's assessor at Weymouth College, said: “Tracey is unflappable and unfazed by anything. She has many of the qualities of a teaching assistant which simply cannot be taught - eye in the back of her head, patience of a saint, the ability not to judge any child or person she works with - and these are qualities which should be celebrated. It has been a pleasure to assess Tracey."

David Watson, Head of Apprenticeships at Weymouth Colege, said: "We deliver apprenticeships in 16 different areas. Apprenticeships have grown considerably in recent years and now we have over 400 students each year doing apprenticeships in all kinds of industries."

South Dorset MP Richard Drax also attended the event. He said: "This is all about focusing on apprenticeships as an alternative to the traditional route often preferred by parents that is going to college and then university.

"We hope this will inspire more young people to take on apprenticeships because there are so many opportunities now."

Head to the Dorset Echo website for the full list of winners.

The Weymouth College Apprentice of the Year 2019 Sector Award winners:

Teaching Assistant and Childcare Apprentice of the Year 2019 and Weymouth College Apprentice of the Year 2019 - Tracey Anderson, Bincombe Valley Primary School

Accounting Apprentice of the Year 2019 - Hannah Mahalski, Agincare

Brickwork Apprentice of the Year 2019 - Charley Evans, Quality Building Services

Business and Administration Apprentice of the year 2019 - Mel Welsh, The Etches Collection, Kimmeridge

Carpentry and Joinery Apprentice of the year 2019 - Craig Yates, Traditional Building Southern

Catering and Hospitality Apprentice of the year 2019 - Maria Sanderson, Bridport Community Hospital

Customer Service Apprentice of the year 2019 - Anissa Lee, Weymouth College and Abigail Phillips, Weymouth College

Electrical Apprentice of the year 2019 - Daniel Evans, Hastings Electrical

Engineering Apprentice of the year 2019 - Michael Dening, Ceewrite

Hairdressing Apprentice of the year 2019 - Katie Fellows, Thomas J William

Health and Social Care Apprentice of the year 2019 - Kelly Muncaster, Retro Care

Information Technology Apprentice of the year 2019 - David Harris, Dorset County Council

Motor Vehicle Apprentice of the year 2019 - William Miles, Cahill Motor Services

Plumbing Apprentice of the year 2019 - Morgan Kitton, GR Edwardes Ltd.

Sport and Leisure Apprentice of the year 2019 - Jessica Austin, Redlands Community Sports Hub

Stonemasonry Apprentice of the year 2019 - Ella Baldwin, Salisbury Cathedral