Matthew has the skills to sweeten Sugar
19th May 2008
You’re hired! One Oldham apprentice would give Alan Sugar’s entrepreneurs a run for their money after reaching a final.
Matthew Smith (19) is celebrating after being named a finalist in the Greater Manchester leg of the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) North-West Learner Awards.
While losers on the BBC one programme “The Apprentice” have to hear the dreaded words “you’re fired” the winner is told the opposite by the gruff businessman and Matthew is hoping he, too, is in line for success.
He is undertaking his apprenticeship with Skills@Oldham at the Oldham College, and works for Connaught Properties carrying out maintenance in Oldham.
Matthew beat applications from youngsters across the county to get to the final and be given the chance to win a £250 prize. All finalists will receive a cheque for £100.
The winner will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Lowry hotel on Thursday at which “Countryfile” presenter John Craven will be guest of honour.
The winner in each category could then be named North-West regional winner in June, competing against winners from Cheshire and Warrington, Cumbria, Merseyside, Greater Manchester and Lancashire.
All entries into the regional awards are automatically entered into the LSC’s National Apprenticeship Awards so they could also be in with a chance of being named national winner and receive a prize of up to £1,500.
The awards are held to recognise and reward excellence in learning, skills and achievement in individuals and organisations.
They also develop links between local businesses and learning providers.
The six categories are apprentice of the year, advanced apprentice of the year, further education vocational learner of the year and further education academic learner of the year.
By Richard Hooton The Oldham Chronicle 19th May 2008