Published: Mon 09 Oct 2023 at 07:59
An apprentice from Jet2.com and Jet2holidays has been named Yorkshire and Humber Advanced Apprentice of the Year 2023 and been selected as a finalist in this year’s National Apprenticeship Awards.
Connor Ward, an Apprentice Operations Systems Controller at the UK’s largest tour operator and leading leisure airline, was recently announced as the winner of the Advanced Apprentice of the Year category in the Yorkshire and Humber Apprenticeship Awards. As a result of being selected as a regional winner from over 1,000 applicants, Connor has automatically been shortlisted for the National Apprenticeship Awards finals, taking place on 29th November in London.
Commenting on why Connor was selected as a regional winner, the judges said: “The winner of this award has excelled in their apprenticeship. They go the extra mile in making contributions to their team, and this is backed up by their stand-out metrics and tangible benefits to the business.”
Connor joined Jet2.com and Jet2holidays as an Apprentice Operations Systems Controller in July 2022, after training as a surgical practitioner. As part of his role at the tour operator and airline, Connor, who is currently in the final stages of his Level 3 Data Technician Apprenticeship, is responsible for producing data visualisations to help support business operations.
It is the second consecutive year that an apprentice from Jet2.com and Jet2holidays has been awarded the Yorkshire and Humber Advanced Apprentice of the Year accolade. In 2022, Isaac Naylor, a former apprentice and now Junior Software Developer, received the prestigious accolade. Issac presented this year’s Yorkshire and Humber Apprentice Awards and handed Connor the Advanced Apprentice of the Year trophy.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the National Apprenticeship Awards, which recognise and reward the achievements of exceptional apprentices, apprenticeship champions and apprenticeship employers from across the region.
Reflecting on his achievement, Connor said: “To have made it this far in the awards is unbelievable! Since joining the Apprentice Ambassador Network, I have attended multiple events to raise the profile of apprenticeships and their benefits. I love knowing I can help guide people towards the correct career path, as I know myself university is not for everyone. Jet2 is an amazing place to work as everyone follows the companies’ values and is prepared to offer you help, which has made me feel particularly supported as an apprentice.”
Katie Rankin, Emerging Talent & Careers Manager at Jet2.com and Jet2holidays (Co-Chair Yorkshire & Humber Apprenticeship Ambassador Network), said: “I’m incredibly proud of Connor and how he has developed over the course of his apprenticeship. He is always the first to volunteer for every opportunity, be that welcoming a new apprentice to the business or supporting a school event. He always encourages everyone he meets to take every opportunity they can to get the best experience and is a truly inspirational apprentice who exudes energy and positivity.”
She added: “Connor is really proud to be an Apprentice Ambassador and regularly attends events, sharing his experiences on social media to inspire others. He has developed a huge network of connections and given so much back in terms of sharing best practice and supporting anyone who needs it. I’m proud to have been part of his journey to date and can see him going far at Jet2.com and Jet2holidays.”
Currently, Jet2.com and Jet2holidays has 150 apprentices on-programme in over 30 different apprenticeship standards across the business in Finance, Engineering, HR, IT, Marketing, Operations Control, Health & Safety, Ground Operations, Contact Centre and Procurement, ranging from Level 3-7. To date, all former apprentices have passed their end-point assessments first time with 100% progressing into permanent roles within the business.
All apprentices at Jet2.com and Jet2holidays receive additional internal business development, in addition to a course delivered by a nationally recognised training provider. A diverse range of opportunities are available for new people entering the industry age 16+, as well as for existing colleagues to support their career progression.
For further information on Jet2.com and Jet2holidays apprenticeship programmes, please visit https://jet2careers.com/emerging-talent-careers/
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