Every year the Royal Signals recognises those apprentices across the Corps who have achieved excellence throughout their apprenticeship scheme programme. This year's awards were held last week at Blandford Camp with Brig Mark Purves representing the Master of Signals. The keynote address was given by Mr Mike Hill, the Chief Digital Information Officer at the Cabinet Office and ex-Royal Signals soldier.
The British Army was ranked top of the list of 2022 apprenticeship scheme suppliers by the Department for Education, with more places offered than any other organisation in the country. Within this, the Royal Signals offers technical apprenticeships and, as part of its lifelong commitment to learning, works together with civilian and industry partners to provide personal development and further training, professional qualifications up to degree level, and chartered status across many telecommunication, IT and engineering areas.
In addition to family members, other guests included some professional institutions and industry partners with whom the Royal Signals has a strong, enduring partnership. Of note, the Overall Apprentice Prize = the Silver Falcon - has, for some years, been sponsored by BAE Systems. This year is was presented by Col (Retd) Murray McLeod-Jones, BAE’s lead for veteran services.
.jpg "Apprentice of the Year Overall Winner 2022")
Col (Retd) Andrew Percival Director of the Royal Signals Institution said ‘The capabilities operated by the Royal Signals require a high degree of engineering and technical competency. In celebrating our Apprentices of the Year, we applaud their personal achievements and the contribution that Apprenticeships provide to Army digital specialists at the start of their professional journey.’
Corporal Towers from 3 (UK) Div Sig Regt said ‘I was surprised to find out I had won as I know the competition was especially tough this year. I am very happy and proud of what I have achieved, especially as it now provides an opportunity to develop myself further and achieve more.’
Lt Col Rob Harris, Commanding Officer 3 (UK) Div Sig Regt said, 'I am extremely proud of all our apprentices and all the staff who put so much effort into developing the next generation of Royal Signals soldiers. Everyone benefits from this scheme: the apprentices themselves, the units that they go on to serve with and the Corps itself which gains a new cohort of professionally qualified people every year.'
Congratulations to all the winners:
Info Services Apprentice of the Year - LCpl Connelly (30 Sig Regt)
Engineer Apprentice of the Year - Cpl Towers (3 Sig Regt)
Infrastructure Apprentice of the Year - Sig Saitch (10 Sig Regt)
Power Apprentice of the Year - Sig Fassam (21 Sig Regt)
Electronic Warfare Apprentice of the Year - LCpl Russell (14 Sig Regt (EW))
Overall Winner of the Year - LCpl Russell (14 Sig Regt (EW))
Apprenticeship Champion - Sgt Matthew Birkett (30 Sig Regt)
Apprenticeships Unit Champion - 30 Sig Regt
