PTP celebrate graduation of 20 apprentices across Stoke and Staffordshire

Top Midlands training company Performance Through People (PTP) is celebrating the graduation of 20 of its apprentices based at employers across the Midlands.

The Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Apprenticeship Graduation ceremony took place on 28 June at the County Showground, Stafford, organised by Staffordshire County Council.

PTP, part of the BCTG Group, has supported the graduation every year since its launch in the mid-2010s, except for 2020 when Covid-19 postponed the event.

Rob Colbourne, chief executive of PTP, said: “We’re so proud of all our hard-working apprentices who all fully deserve celebrating their qualifications and graduations.

“I firmly believe in the value of apprenticeships, which can often find people successful jobs as quick, if not quicker, than graduating with degrees.

“As a result, it’s important to recognise the importance of apprenticeships, and we were delighted to take part in this celebratory event.”

One of the graduates was Ewelina Luszcz, a contracts, energy and utilities officer in the Facilities & Estates department at the Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in Stafford (MPFT NHS Trust), who qualified in Business Administration.

Ewelina, aged 38, originally from Poland but now living in Stafford, said: “I’m very pleased with my apprenticeship and Julie Walsh, my PTP tutor, was even replying to questions during weekends.

“I have broadened my knowledge significantly, conducted my first quality audit, and learned how to maintain better relations with internal and external stakeholders.”

Another graduate was Natalie Shillito, a strategy and commissioning officer also in the Facilities & Estates department at the MPFT NHS Trust, who qualified in Level 4 Business Administration.

Natalie, aged 33, from Rugeley, said: “Julie Walsh at PTP was an excellent tutor, always available if needed, and enrolling on this course helped me to progress into my current role whilst on the course.”

Also graduating was Jack Sears, a project professional on the Mechanized Infantry Vehicle (MIV) Programme with Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land in Telford.

Jack, aged 22, from Cannock, said: “My experience with PTP was really enjoyable – I was well supported by PTP and felt that I could apply the training I received right away in my day job.

“PTP developed me professionally and improved my skills considerably, which was highlighted by me being awarded UK Business Apprentice of the Year 2021 by Make UK.”

PTP’s full list of apprentices who graduated at the event, along with their employers and qualifications, are as follows:

• Marion Astbury, Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (MPFT NHS Trust), Level 3, Team Leader
• Kiran Bibi, Walsall Council, Level 3, Business Administration
• Paul Clayton, Portmeirion, Level 5, Operations/Departmental Management
• Chloe Cornes, MPFT NHS Trust, Level 3, Team Leader
• Joe Dyson, AFB Bishops Castle, Level 3, Retail Team Leader
• Diane Goodwin, MPFT NHS Trust, Level 5, Operations/Departmental Management
• Jane Hanslip, Walsall Council, Level 5, Operations/Departmental Manager
• Stephanie Hodgkiss, AFB & Son Ltd, Level 3, Retailing and Wholesaling
• Natalie Horton, AFB & Son Ltd Level 3, Customer Service
• Sophia Keeling, Innovative Testing Solutions Ltd, Level 2, Customer Service
• Katherine Knowles, MPFT NHS Trust, Level 4, Business Administration
• Ewelina Luszcz, MPFT NHS Trust, Level 4, Business Administration
• Kerris Rex, AFB & Son Ltd, Level 2, Customer Service
• Jack Sears, Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land, Level 4, Business Management
• Natalie Shillito, MPFT NHS Trust, Level 4 Business Administration
• Miranda Smith, Stafford County Council, Level 3, Learning and Development
• Sarah Southern, EMH Group, Level 3, Team Leader
• Robert Sowden, ENH Group, Level 3, Team Leader
• Naomi Watson, Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust, Level 3, Business Management
• Karen Wright, AFB Doncaster, Level 3, Retailing and Wholesaling

Chris Bamsey, head of apprenticeships and technical skills at Staffordshire County Council, and lead organiser of the ceremony, said: “We are very proud of all the graduates and what they have achieved. We hope that they enjoyed their day, celebrating with their family and friends, employers and tutors.”

The graduation ceremony was sponsored by Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Enterprise Partnership, KMF, Newcastle & Stafford College Group, Acacia Training, Staffordshire County Council and Stoke-on-Trent City Council.