Organisers have announced finalists who have won through to the shortlist for 2025 Dorset Apprenticeship Awards.

Dorset Chamber and Dorset and Somerset Training Provider Network (DSTPN) are holding the annual celebration of success with sponsorship from manufacturing firm Superior.

Sixteen finalists in five categories are on the shortlist for the honours, which will be unveiled on Thursday May 15.

They are:

Supported Internship Award:

• Bethany Barber - Ferndown Plus/Bournemouth and Poole College
• Alfie Blake - BCP Council/SWRAC
• Lewis Finch - Iford Golf Centre/SWRAC
• George Whitford - Carlton Hotel/ SWRAC

Intermediate Apprenticeship Award:

• Morgan Simpson - Nusura Thai Fire Kitchen/Bournemouth and Poole College
• Amelie Stone - Riversmeet Gymnastic Club/Bridgewater and Taunton College
• Jake Thomas – Heatric/Bournemouth and Poole College

Advanced Apprenticeship Award:

• Isabelle Kearnan - Motion Control Products/Bournemouth and Poole College
• Jack Lant - Poole Accident Repair/RWC Training/ Skillnet
• Leslie Mason - Babcock International/Paragon

Higher Level Apprenticeship Award:

• Aleasha Ellis - Bluebird Care/ t2 group
• Cassidy Maidment - Charter Tech Ltd/Bournemouth and Poole College
• Laura Mackay – Bridmet/SWATPro

Degree Level Apprenticeship Award:

• Kirsten Bland - NHS Dorset Integrated Care Board/Bournemouth University
• Sarah Matthias - University Hospitals Dorset/Bournemouth University
• Rachael Webber - Battens Solicitors/University of Law

Dorset Chamber chief executive Ian Girling said: “Congratulations to all of the finalists.

“We received some inspirational and exceptional entries, which made it so very difficult to choose our finalists and winners.

“We’re looking forward to the awards event when we can announce the winners and celebrate the invaluable contribution apprentices make to the organisations they work for and the local business community.”

The awards ceremony will be held at Superior in Ferndown Tim Brown, managing director of Superior, and former apprentice and upholstery expert from television programme The Repair Shop, Sonnaz Nooranvary.

Dorset Chamber, the county’s voice of business, has been organising the apprenticeship awards since 2022.

Founded in 1949, is the only chamber in the county accredited to the British Chambers of Commerce.

Ranked as the leading chamber nationally with 120 five-star reviews on Google, the chamber has a vision for ‘a vibrant and prosperous Dorset business community that enhances the quality of life for all’.

Visit https://dorsetchamber.co.uk/dorset-apprenticeship-awards-2025/ for more details.