On the road to success: The winners of the 2016 APSE roads, street lighting and winter maintenance Apprentice Award and Rising Star Award

The portfolios have been handed in, the interviews have wrapped up and now we are pleased to announce the winners of the 2016 APSE Roads, Street Lighting and Winter Maintenance Apprentice Award and the Rising Star Award.

One of APSE’s most anticipated awards, this year’s Apprentice finalists are a shining example of the excellence and hard work that is carried out by people learning a new trade in local government. By recognising the achievements of these excellent finalists, we not only celebrate their success, but we also highlight the importance of apprenticeship schemes, which are vital for teaching the skills necessary to maintain important frontline services.

This year’s Apprentice Award winner is Francesca Lawton-Vaughan from Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council, who beat off strong competition by demonstrating her exceptional problem-solving and critical thinking skills, as well as her outstanding work ethic. Well done, Francesca!

New this year, the Rising Star Award celebrates local authority employees who show the skills, mind-set and innovative thinking to make them stand out as potential future leaders in the public sector. Our outstanding finalists have all shown exceptional abilities through the projects that they have completed and the ideas they have developed. They all have a fantastic set of skills that allow them to shine bright in their roles.

The winner of the first Roads, Street Lighting and Winter Maintenance Rising Star Award is Dave Fothergill. He is a very supportive member of staff at Newcastle City Council who is always taking colleagues into consideration. He has a great team spirit that has helped him to carry out some very successful high-profile projects. Congratulations, Dave!

APSE’s Chief Executive Paul O’Brien said, ‘These awards are an excellent way of celebrating those who are currently developing bright careers in the public sector. All of our finalists have shown a vast wealth of knowledge in their particular area, and demonstrated the skills that their particular career paths require for progression and success. Through holding the Apprentice Award and Rising Star Award, APSE hopes to help local councils identify the people in their employment that deserve praise and recognition, as these people are a credit to themselves and the local authorities they work for.’

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists!

Finalists and winners: