Who is Microsoft’s Apprentice of the Year 2013?

This month, Microsoft, partner businesses, MPs and young people gathered at the House of Commons to celebrate the achievements of the apprentices who were nominated for the Microsoft Apprentice of the Year competition and to thank them for their hard work, enthusiasm and commitment.

The apprenticeship scheme is part of our Get On programme, which aims to help 300,000 British 16-24 year olds into work by 2015 by giving them the relevant training and skills. Through our partner businesses, we take on around 1,000 apprentices every year, 93% of whom go on to a permanent position following their apprenticeship.

It was great to hear so many young people talking excitedly about their future in the IT industry, discussing how the apprenticeship has helped them and where they see it taking them in the future. These sorts of ambitions are exactly what we want to instil in young people. Aside from the practical skills young people gain through apprenticeships, the enthusiasm and the realisation that they have what it takes to build a successful career are ultimately what will set them up for a fantastic future and that’s great for us to see.

But there can only be one winner, and this year it was Jamie Sauvarin from BrightStarr Ltd. in Eashing, who was presented his award by Mark Hoban, Minister of Employment at The House of Commons.

Jamie Sauvarin, winner of the Microsoft Apprentice of the Year 2013 July 20, 2013 Jamie says: “I have really enjoyed my time at BrightStarr so far and I am so happy to have won this award. My apprenticeship has made me even keener to work in IT and has given me a chance to get the skills I need to do that. I would like to say thank you to Microsoft, BrightStarr and Remit for giving me this opportunity.”

 

Joshua Uwadiae from eCourier in Aldgate and Billie Elliot from Hull Trinity House Academy in Hull were named runners up, whilst Charlotte Allan from Chorus in Portishead was given an honourable mention. You can read more about this year’s winners on ComputerWorld UK.

Of course none of this would be possible without the support of the businesses that employ these young people. We have a network of 30,000 partner businesses, and each year many of them take on apprentices through our programme. These employers should all be recognised for the fact that they are helping to create employment and opportunity for young people, supporting young people through the course of their apprenticeship. This year, TSG, Pyranet UK Ltd, Software One and Adatis were the four winning companies. Each was recognised for its commitment to ensuring their apprentices received the very best hands-on training, support and opportunities possible and in return, these businesses are fuelling their talent pipeline for the future.