IT Apprentice From PFK Cooper Parry Receives Prestigious Award At The House Of Lords

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 9 August 2016

An apprentice from the IT Solutions team at PKF Cooper Parry made a trip to the House of Lords last week to receive a prestigious award.

                                                          L-R: Sherwood MP Mark Spencer and CBI Director-general Carolyn Fairbairn

Andrew Burbidge (25) was one of 30 top-performing students from West Nottinghamshire College in Mansfield to be honoured with an award at the fifth annual West Nottinghamshire College Celebration of Apprentices, following his successful apprenticeship with the firm.

The winners, chosen from among the college’s 13,000 apprentices, each received an award at the event, which aims to recognise and celebrate the achievements of apprentices up and down the country.

For the first time, employers of apprentices were also included in the honours for their commitment to apprenticeships.

Andrew joined the IT Solutions team in 2014 and has excelled in his role as an apprentice. He has completed a level three apprenticeship in IT, software, web and telecoms Professionals Apprenticeship, gaining an Edexcel BTEC level three extended diploma in ICT systems and principles (QCF) and a BTEC Level 3 Diploma in professional competence for IT and telecoms professionals.

As a result of his consistent hard work with the firm, what was supposed to be a one-year apprenticeship has turned into a second year with the firm and Andrew is now hoping to secure a permanent position on completion of his studies.

Following the awards ceremony, Dame Asher, CEO and Principal of West Nottinghamshire College, hosted a celebration tea for the students and their families.

Other speakers at the event included the Confederation of British Industry director general Carolyn Fairbairn, who spoke about the importance of apprentices to business.

Commenting on receiving the award, Andrew said:

“I’m incredibly overwhelmed. It’s one of those things I simply I wasn’t expecting. I just thought I was going at a steady pace with my studies, so to be recognised for such an award is amazing.

“I’ve loved my time here and really feel part of the IT Solutions team. After my apprenticeship ends, my aim is to secure a full time job with the firm and receiving this award will take me another step closer to achieving my goal.”

Brett Critchley, partner and head of the IT Solutions team at PKF Cooper Parry, added:

“We’re absolutely delighted with Andrew’s progress over the past 12 months. He has worked very hard to achieve his qualifications and is a valued member of our team – we wish him every success in his future studies.”

PKF Cooper Parry was recently named in the 2016 Sunday Times Top 100 Best Small Companies to Work for. It is one of the largest independent firms of business advisers in the Midlands and currently employs more than 350 team members across its East Midlands headquarters and Birmingham office.

West Nottinghamshire College is one of the largest apprenticeship providers in the country, with a Skills Funding Agency allocation of more than £5m for 16 to 18 apprenticeships in 2015/16.

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