Compass recently celebrated the second annual Compass Awards that took place at Compass’ graduation ceremony at Warwick University.
Highlights included a 3-course dinner, the graduation ceremony itself, and a silent auction to raise money for Compass’ chosen charity Papyrus, with the most anticipated part of the evening being the awards ceremony.
Emotions and excitement ran high as the awards ceremony took place, with nominees from 11 categories being supported by family, friends, and colleagues to celebrate their successes.
The Winners
🏆 Level 3 SHE Technician Apprentice of the Year – Martin Bennett from Encon Insulation and Nevill Long
This award acknowledges Martin’s outstanding achievements as part of his Safety, Health and Environment Technician Level 3 apprenticeship, which he passed with distinction. Level 3 SHE Technician Tutor, Nathan Youseman, who nominated Martin stated that “Martin is nominated for his high level of work during his apprenticeship, and his strong positive attitude to learning. Also, for completing his apprenticeship early and achieving a distinction, and for becoming HSEQ Manager for his employer.”
Martin comments: “My apprenticeship has been invaluable for developing my skills and has been so relevant to my day-to-day work, mixing practical learning with theory. My studies have provided a deeper understanding of the reasons behind procedures in branch, particularly completing the NEBOSH qualification as part of the course. I’m really pleased to receive a distinction and to be chosen for the Apprentice of the Year Award.”
🏆 Fire Safety Apprentice of the Year – Marco Fiore from Cambs Fire Safe Limited
Marco, who is enrolled on the Level 4 Fire Safety Inspector apprenticeship programme, was nominated by Adam Postlethwaite due to the “exceptional standard of his assignments, his ability to apply his learning to his role, his dedication to the programme by committing extra assignments and his all-round great attitude”. Marco is currently beginning another milestone in his apprenticeship journey by attending the Level 4 Certificate in Fire Safety, which forms part of the knowledge and skills competency requirements of a Fire Safety Inspector.
🏆 Engineer Surveyor Apprentice of the Year – Nathan Hayde from HSB | UK and Ireland
Nathan was recognised for being very positive, having made fantastic progress on the Level 4 Engineer Surveyor apprenticeship programme with his HNC.
🏆 Mentor of the Year – Becky Tierney from HSB
Becky is a familiar face at Compass, supporting HSB’s level 4 Engineer Surveyor Apprentices, and was nominated for her ongoing support and commitment as an apprenticeship mentor, attending every progress review.
🏆 Risk Safety Management Apprentice of the Year – Balbinder Garcha from Liverpool Streetscene Services Ltd
Balbinder was nominated for this award due to his consistent hard work throughout the Level 7 Risk & Safety Management Apprenticeship program. Graham Kearsley, tutor for the apprenticeship programme, praises Balbinder: “In the work he produced for assessment on each module I was impressed by his penmanship, interpretation & application of legal standards. This course is demanding, it requires discipline and commitment. Bal has put his life on hold in order to read through the research documents and produce work to a high standard. I have enjoyed reviewing his dissertation and was mindful that Bal reacted to the constructive feedback and tweaked his work to pitch it even higher. It’s also great to work with a fellow H&S body who has a good sense of humour!!”
🏆 Apprentice Employer of the Year – ISS Facility Services UK
ISS were nominated by Director and Level 7 Risk & Safety Management Programme lead, Debbie Williams, for their commitment and support to the development of senior health and safety professionals within the organisation, and for creating opportunities for a range of learners. It is amazing to see organisations like ISS championing and empowering their workforce!
ISS take health & safety seriously – “Safety is critical to our success – both within ISS and the companies we serve. We prioritise wellbeing not only through sector-leading health and safety standards, but through regular training, staff wellbeing and award-winning initiatives, such as the Menopause Awareness Project, that change the way the world works.”
🏆 Construction Site Manager of the Year – Valeriu Bezer from United Living Group
Valeriu, who is currently working towards his NVQ Level 6 in Construction Site Management as part of his apprenticeship, was nominated for his ‘hard work, commitment and proactiveness in relation to the apprenticeship program, as well as all his participation in the apprenticeship itself, and in extracurricular learning.’
Construction Site Supervisor of the Year – Oliver Eaton from United Living Group
Level 4 Construction Site Supervision apprentice, Oliver, was nominated by programme lead, Ghulam Jafferi, for being ‘outstanding on site and during the academic year’.
🏆 Functional Skills Student of the Year – Kelly Patria from DS Smith
Kelly was selected by Functional Skills Tutor, Sue Clifton, who gave the following reason: “Her determination to succeed, her willingness to learn and her great attention to detail. Her presentation for her Speaking and Listening exam was outstanding.”
Kelly is currently completing a Level 3 Safety Health & Environment Technician Apprenticeship through DS Smith. Whilst completing this apprenticeship, Kelly will have the opportunity to also complete the NEBOSH National General Certificate, a prestigious qualification that will help to solidify further her health & safety knowledge and skills. Kelly comments, “I was honoured just to be nominated, but to win is a huge confidence boost and even more of an honour!”
🏆 Most Progressed Apprentice – Harry Long from Compliance Education
Having started his Level 3 Safety Health & Environment Technician apprenticeship at 16 years old, Harry was nominated for how much work he has put in over the past two years. It has been a pleasure for Compass to watch him develop into a fully fledged health & safety professional! Harry has also just started his apprenticeship end point assessment process so we hope we will see him again next year for his own graduation!
Special thanks to Charlotte Langley from IOSH who helped present the awards to the winners, as well as everyone who took part in the silent auction to help raise money for Compass’ chosen charity of the year, Papyrus.
Papyrus – Prevention of Young Suicide is the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide and the promotion of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in young people.
Suicide is the biggest killer of people aged 35 and under in the UK. Papyrus’ suicide prevention helpline, HOPELINE247, is staffed by trained suicide prevention advisers, who work with young people – and anybody concerned for a young person – to help keep them safe from suicide. HOPELINE247 is a free and confidential call, text and email service, which is available 24 hours a day, every day of the year (weekends and bank holidays included). Papyrus works with communities across the UK, engaging them in their mission to prevent suicide in children and young people. Papyrus engage them through their resources and training, learning with them and galvanising them to help save young lives.
Compass Skills Training encourages you to donate to Papyrus – you can find more information on donating here Ways to donate | Papyrus (papyrus-uk.org).
