A PAIR of apprentices from York College have been recognised at a national competition.

Emily Grimes and Callum Finn reached the regional final of the 2017 National Apprenticeship Awards, alongside seven others from the Yorkshire and Humberside region.

The awards celebrate apprentices who make a difference to their organisations during their studies.

Emily - a former Tadcaster Grammar School student - is a Level 2 Business Administration apprentice who is employed in the Work Placement team at the college.

She said: "I haven’t looked back since starting my apprenticeship; the learning style really suits me and my employer supports me at every stage. I love my job and I am over the moon to be selected for the regional NAS Awards."

Calum Finn, 21, is an apprentice at Nestle, studying an Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering with York College.

He said: "Choosing an apprenticeship with Nestlé was a fantastic decision for me, gaining extremely valuable skills both academically and from the workplace. As a result I have achieved a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering and Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering to Double Distinction, which I am thrilled to have accomplished and as a result I have now been offered the opportunity from Nestlé York to progress onto study an HNC in Process Engineering which I think is a brilliant way to continue my career development."

The regional finals of the competition will be held at the Royal York Hotel on October 10, and presented by Martin Kennedy, employer engagement manager at York College.

He said: "Two years ago I was on the scoring panel for the NAS Awards and I know the criteria apprentices have had to fulfil to get to this stage is significant. We will be so proud to see our apprentices recognised at the regional ceremony, and we have our fingers crossed they will progress to the national final."

Winners will be invited to the national finals in London in January 2018.