News story: National Apprenticeship Awards 2018 regional finalists announced

Now in their 15th year, the National Apprenticeship Awards showcase the diverse and growing range of sectors engaged with apprenticeships, whilst celebrating outstanding apprentices, employers and individuals who go above and beyond to champion apprenticeships across England.

The awards were open to apprentices, individuals who promote apprenticeships and employers of all sizes from all sectors. The refreshed array of categories for 2018 has given additional opportunities for entrants to demonstrate the impact apprenticeships has made to individual’s lives and their workplaces. Those shortlisted are apprenticeship exemplars, highlighting best practice across recruitment excellence, high quality training practices, diversity and career progression.

We have announced regional finalists in the following employer categories:

  • The BAE Systems Award for SME Employer of the Year (for organisations with 1 to 249 employees)

  • The Royal Navy Award for Large Employer of the Year (for organisations with 250 to 4,999 employees)

  • Macro Employer of the Year (for organisations with 5,000+ employees)

We are recognising apprentices for their exceptional contribution to their workplace and have announced regional finalists in the following apprentice categories:

  • The British Army Award for Intermediate Apprentice of the Year

  • The Rolls Royce Award for Advanced Apprentice of the Year

  • The Nuclear Decommissioning Site Licence Companies Award for Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year

Finalists in the Royal Air Force Award for Apprenticeship Champion of the Year, recognising individuals who go ‘above and beyond’ to champion apprenticeships, have also been announced today, alongside finalists in the three new categories introduced for 2018:

  • The PeoplePlus Award for Recruitment Excellence: the winner will be selected from the Employer of the Year award entries

  • The Lloyds Banking Group Award for the Rising Star: awarded to apprentices who have made impressive progress in their career to date and who show the potential, through their apprenticeship, to make it to the very top of their chosen profession

We will be asking members of the public to vote on the overall winner for the Lloyds Banking Group Award for the Rising Star category.

Keith Smith, Director, Apprenticeships Group, ESFA said:

The National Apprenticeship Awards recognise excellence in businesses that grow their own talent with apprenticeships, and apprentices who have made, and keep making, a significant contribution to their workplaces and these awards enable both employers and individuals to showcase how apprenticeships have made a real difference to their organisation and career.

I am thrilled that so many outstanding applications were made – eclipsing the phenomenal number of entries we’ve had in the past. Judges have had a difficult time selecting the finalists as the applications were outstanding; highlighting perfectly the many benefits apprenticeships bring to the lives of individuals and to our employers.

I thank everyone for entering; thank judges for their time volunteering to assist with the process and I wish all finalists the very best of luck at the regional ceremony.

National Apprenticeship Awards 2018 – regional employer of the year finalists (PDF, 338KB, 2 pages)

National Apprenticeship Awards 2018 – regional apprentice, rising star and apprenticeship champion of the year finalists (PDF, 369KB, 4 pages)

For more information on the National Apprenticeship Awards 2018 visit: https://appawards.co.uk/.



Open consultation: Capacity Market and Emissions Performance Standard review: call for evidence

The government is conducting a review of the Capacity Market (CM) and the Emissions Performance Standard (EPS) as it is 5 years since the legislation introducing the policies – the Energy Act 2013 – was passed.

This call for evidence is the first step in the review process. It seeks views and evidence on the performance of the policies and on any opportunities to consider in ensuring they remain fit for the future.

See also: Evaluation of the transitional arrangements for demand-side response: phase 3, published alongside this call for evidence.



Research and analysis: Evaluation of the transitional arrangements for demand-side response: phase 3

An evaluation was commissioned in order to understand how the TA scheme was working and the impacts of TA auctions in relation to its intended objectives.

This third phase of the evaluation, which is reported here, examined participation in the second TA auction.

See also:



News story: Master and vessel owner ordered to pay £22,459 for fisheries offences

The court heard that in February 2017 information was received by MMO officers that led them to investigate the landing and subsequent sale of fish that had been declared by the fishing vessel Charisma (NN111).

Through analysis of CCTV footage from Sutton Harbour in Plymouth, officers identified that the vessel had not been out to sea. The vessel owner, Graham Searle was also master of the Emma Louise (PH5557), which had been fishing at the relevant time. It became clear that the incorrect vessel had been declared as having made the landing in order for the Emma Louise to land excess Pollock over her quota limit.

Mr Searle pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing on 9 July 2018, which was adjourned for sentencing until 31 July 2018. He was ordered to pay a fine of £13,295, costs of £8,994.30 and a £170 victim surcharge.

A spokesperson for the MMO said:

We are pleased the judge recognised the seriousness of these offences as a deliberate attempt to undermine regulations.

In cases like these MMO will always take proportionate and appropriate action, including prosecution, to ensure offenders do not benefit from such illegal activity and to protect fish stocks for the wider fishing industry and future generations.



News story: Master and vessel owner ordered to pay £22,459 for fisheries offences

The court heard that in February 2017 information was received by MMO officers that led them to investigate the landing and subsequent sale of fish that had been declared by the fishing vessel Charisma (NN111).

Through analysis of CCTV footage from Sutton Harbour in Plymouth, officers identified that the vessel had not been out to sea. The vessel owner, Graham Searle was also master of the Emma Louise (PH5557), which had been fishing at the relevant time. It became clear that the incorrect vessel had been declared as having made the landing in order for the Emma Louise to land excess Pollock over her quota limit.

Mr Searle pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing on 9 July 2018, which was adjourned for sentencing until 31 July 2018. He was ordered to pay a fine of £13,295, costs of £8,994.30 and a £170 victim surcharge.

A spokesperson for the MMO said:

We are pleased the judge recognised the seriousness of these offences as a deliberate attempt to undermine regulations.

In cases like these MMO will always take proportionate and appropriate action, including prosecution, to ensure offenders do not benefit from such illegal activity and to protect fish stocks for the wider fishing industry and future generations.