A Salford nursery manager has won the Higher/Degree Apprenticeships category at the Public Services People Managers Association (PPMA) Apprentice of the Year 2023 awards.
Another Salford City Council worker, Olivia Gettings, Customer Service Officer at Eccles Gateway, was a finalist in the Intermediate/Advanced Apprenticeships category.
Angela Jones has been a Nursery Manager at Barton Moss Nursery since 2014 and has worked with Salford City Council since 2009. She was presented with the award at an event on 27 April.
There have been recruitment challenges in the early years sector for many years, and one way the service has tried to overcome this is by ‘growing their own’ through apprenticeships. Having supported apprentices on their journey, Angela was keen to understand more about their learning and assessments.
Angela said: “I’m really pleased to win this award, especially after all the hard work that has been involved. I was thrilled when I was given the opportunity to join the Assessor Coach (Level Four) Apprenticeship, which was funded through the apprenticeship levy.
“It was interesting to learn something new and as it was for my own professional development, I didn’t mind doing some of the work in my own time as well as in working hours – I would often sit with my children so we could do our ‘homework’ together. My son did ask if I was too old to do an apprenticeship, but I assured him that learning should be a lifelong activity.
“I have developed many transferable skills, including coaching and mentoring techniques, and how to provide good quality feedback. I’m more confident to try new things and I have even inspired my deputy manager to undertake an apprenticeship too!
“I am glad I pushed myself out of my comfort zone to do the course and go for the award. I’m a firm believer you never regret what you have done, just the things you haven’t, and there is always something to learn from every experience.”
Councillor Jim Cammell, Lead Member for Children’s and Young People’s Services, said: “I’m delighted Angela has won this award. This is a wonderful achievement and recognition of her dedication to professional development. She is a fantastic example of the great staff we have working in children’s services, who do their utmost to provide the highest level of support and care for children and families in Salford. I’m sure Angela will continue to learn, grow and stretch herself and she is already inspiring others to do so.”
The 2023 PPMA Apprentice of the Year event is for all levels of apprenticeships to personal qualities in a range of development activities, while at the same time helping people to enhance their confidence and resilience.
The aim is that by participating in this development programme, it will encourage people to achieve more than they thought possible in their career. The awards is about identifying and showcasing the breadth and depth of talent in the public sector.
Angela also won an award at the Salford City College Annual Apprenticeship Awards 2023.