Business Awards 2021: Apprentice of the Year finalists

Kim McIntosh of University of Bradford

Kim works in the legal department at the University of Bradford in risk management. She started a qualification in March 2020, just as the country was going into lockdown and people were moving to work from home.

She attended the masterclasses and worked on it from home, alongside a busy job too.

Despite the “exceptional circumstances” she has managed to achieve the qualification in a shorter time - in ten months rather than the usual 18.

She is described as having been “extremely on the ball” and having “really gone over and beyond to complete within the timescale”.

Dan Clegg of Incommunities

Dan works for social landlord Incommunities as assistant manager for the estate services team, which is responsible for grounds maintenance, including cutting grass and hedges, tending the wildflower meadows and the cleaning of blocks.

The team cut a million and a half square metres of ground every 10 to 15 days.

Dan described his role as office based, but added that he likes to get out and about and the check standards so he is able to give feedback to the teams to spur them on.

Of being shortlisted he added: “It’s fantastic - It’s come out of the blue, but it’s nice to have a bit of recognition.”

Ben Preston of Bracken Ghyll Golf Club

Ben works at Bracken Ghyll Golf Club in Ilkley. He describes his role as having a hundred different jobs, starting with checking the course and the flags first thing in the morning, followed by any cutting that needs doing, and raking bunkers.

He said he always wanted to be working outdoors and hadn’t really thought that anything like his current role would come up, adding that there is a really positive atmosphere at the golf club, with members’ opinions being valued.

Of his nominated for the award, he added: “I’ve really worked hard over the last couple of years and to get to noticed for it is just brilliant.”