APPRENTICES were given some hard-earned recognition at an awards ceremony last week.

Swindon College’s annual Apprenticeship Awards took place on Thursday, with 22 awards handed out by employers.

Family, friends and Swindon College staff joined in the celebrations.

The apprentices were nominated for their individual awards by their employers and tutors, recognising their hard work and determination to complete their training with aspirations to get a full-time job within their chosen industry.

Among the winners was Simon Hitchcox, 35, who won the Electrical Apprentice of the Year award for his efforts over the past four years.

When Simon applied for the course in 2010 he had been working in the electrical industry for a number of years, but after a long time out of formal education he was concerned whether he would be academically capable of completing an advanced apprenticeship.

However, staff said Simon immersed himself fully into his studies, displaying a level of focus and effort that was an example to the rest of his class, despite two major setbacks during his course.

He was made redundant halfway through the course and suffered a devastating blow when his classmate and good friend Max Hartshorne, to whom his award was dedicated, died after being hit by a car.

Despite the setbacks, Simon never faltered on the course, passing every unit with distinction and completing the course nearly a year ahead of schedule.

His hard work led to him landing a job with Darke & Taylor, one of the country’s top electrical contractors.

Simon’s tutor, Matt Musella, said: “Simon’s success is a credit to the electrical apprenticeship programme, his employer and most of all himself.”

Simon delivered an inspirational speech of his experience as an apprentice. Speeches were also made by principal Andrew Miller and Jacquie Rains, HR business partner at BP Castrol.

Jacquie said: “It is a privileged to share the evening with such high achieving apprentices. It is vital that we continue to support our employees through their professional development.”

For more information about apprenticeships at Swindon College, visit www.swindon.ac.uk, call 01793 491591, or email studentservices@swindon.ac.uk.