Reaseheath rewards outstanding apprentices at annual awards ceremony.

Reaseheath rounded off its National Apprentice Week in style by hosting its annual Apprenticeship Awards, held last Thursday (09th February).

And it was a night to remember for Sharlene Harrison, who was crowned Outstanding Apprentice of the Year at the event. The dairy apprentice as a Technical and Development Officer for Muller UK & Ireland Group also took home the Higher Level Apprentice of the Year for successfully combining her studies with fulfilling her full-time role.

Already the holder of two previous food science-related degrees, Sharlene completed a Foundation Degree in Food Technology and Management as a student on Reaseheath's unique Eden higher-level apprenticeship programme. This is a bespoke education initiative supported by leading dairy companies that upskill promising professionals in the industry.

An elated Sharlene, who received both awards in front of an audience of employers, friends, and family, said: "This apprenticeship has meant a lot to me both personally and professionally.

"Although I could have got a job with the academic degrees I already had, I wanted to develop competence in the actual application of food science. Studying hands-on in Reaseheath's industry-standard food production halls with the support of dairy specialists gave me a unique opportunity to gain the practical understanding I needed to take my career forward. I'm now traveling the country, creating training material, and leading project work."

The Outstanding Apprentice of the Year was sponsored by the construction company CRJ.

Mark White, a Dairy technologist with Saputo, and Sophie Ridgeway, a learning skills tutor at Reaseheath College were runners-up in the Higher Level Apprentice of the Year, which was sponsored by Bentley Motors.

The Level 3 Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Encirc, was Iwona Cawa, a Crop Supervisor with APS Salads, The company is the UK's leading supplier of British tomatoes to the high street.

Iwona said: "Doing an apprenticeship has given me a greater understanding of why I carry out my job in a certain way. Greater knowledge has also given me the ability to come up with ideas that may take the business forward.

APS Operations Manager Chris Baldwin said: "This independent endorsement from Reaseheath College confirms just how good an employee Iwona is. She is an inspiration to the next generation and we are very proud of her."

Level 3 finalists were Nadine Brooks, a veterinary nurse with Congleton Vets, and Oliver Capel, a crop technician with APS Salads.

The Level 2 Apprentice of the Year award, sponsored by APS Salads, went to Jessica Birtwistle, youngstock manager at Free Green Farm, Over Peover, Knutsford.

Level 2 Apprentice of the Year Jessica Birtwistle (image provided)

Finalists were horticulturist Daniel Traynor who works for Carden Hall near Tilston and Tia Williams, a stockperson at Hayrack Church Farm, Thornton-le-Moors, Chester.

Functional Skills Apprentice of the Year was Bradley Lowe, a gardener with Grappenhall and Thelwall Parish Council.