2nd May 2017
More than 300 people gathered on Friday night for the final stages of the Herald Express South Devon Business Awards 2017. The gala night at the Riviera International Conference Centre saw the very best in local business recognised with a series of prestigious awards.
South Devon College received TWO awards at the Herald Express South Devon Business Awards.
The Apprentice Employer of the Year (for the second year running)
Categorised as outstanding, the college has built everything around its students, helping them make the most of their time here. The college employs 32 members of staff who are undertaking apprenticeship training. They come from all age brackets and backgrounds and work across 14 apprenticeship frameworks.
On winning the award, Rachael Johnstone, Section Head for Business and Professional training said, “It’s most important to our apprentices who we support and develop. It’s more for them. We get amazing people who come in and grow and develop and our existing people develop as well. It’s a real team effort. We’re really proud of their success. We’re speechless and overwhelmed. It’s nice to get recognition for all the work that has gone into it.”
Editor’s Choice Award a special award given to a business, organisation or individual that has made an outstanding and significant contribution to business over a number of years.
Prior to the announcement of the award Jim Parker, Editor of the Herald Express, said:
“This award goes to an organisation that has looked after and inspired thousands of people over the years shaping and changing their lives for the better. Its own transition has been remarkable, staggering and shows no sign of slowing down. It has a fantastic management team at the helm and a real family atmosphere and ethos in all that it does from the top to the bottom. More than just a business. An institution across so many different and diverse sectors. My special award goes to the whole team at South Devon College.”
On winning the award, Stephen Criddle, Principal, said: “This is completely unexpected. South Devon College has a brilliant team, some of whom are here tonight. It’s about community and Torbay and South Devon. It’s about the people we work with. Businesses develop and people thrive in this wonderful part of the world. Thank you on behalf of all the staff at South Devon College. It means a lot to us as we’re an organisation that believes in people.”
