Exeter College Apprentice Ella Fielding has been named runner up of the coveted accolade of ‘Apprentice of the Year’ in a national award ceremony. Exceptional Apprentice Ella was shortlisted as a finalist and then announced as runner up for this year’s Apprentice of the Year in the prestigious Association of Colleges (AoC) Awards. The awards highlight exceptional students from across the country and celebrate the contributions they have made to their college and wider community.

Ella has recently completed a Higher Level Apprenticeship in Digital Marketing with Exeter College and plays an integral role within its dedicated apprenticeship team. She has been praised for her fantastic work ethic and driven attitude, and recognised for going above and beyond for the department on a number of occasions. Through effective marketing, such as managing the social media channels, local advertising campaigns and managing high profile events such as the Apprenticeship Expo, Ella has helped grow the apprenticeship intake from 550 to 1,000 a year.

Her passion for promoting apprenticeships has translated outside of her marketing role, acting as an ambassador during her free time and championing the programme at local schools and events. Since its inception in 2017, Ella has also been responsible for chairing the Devon, Cornwall, and Somerset Young Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, a national government initiative in which young people use their own Apprenticeship experiences to inspire others.

It is not the first time that Ella has made headlines as an inspiration to others. She was a South West Finalist for the National Apprenticeship Awards 2018 and won the accolade of Young Employee of the Year at the Pride of Devon Awards in May 2018.

“I was overwhelmed to be named a finalist, let alone to have been named runner up. I am really please for Ellie Ferguson, from Aintree Hospital in Liverpool, who won this year’s Apprentice of the Year – a very worthy winner. I had such a great night at the ceremony, celebrating with some of my Exeter College team, and it was great to be recognised amongst so much talent!” explains Ella.

John Laramy, Principal and CEO of Exeter College said: “We are delighted that Ella has been named runner up for this prestigious national award, we are committed to apprenticeships both as an employer and as a provider, so this is a double celebration for our award winning apprenticeship team – well done Ella!”

David Hughes, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, said: “Once again we have had excellent applications from colleges across the country who are all rightly proud of the efforts, achievements and application of their students. It made the judging really tough, and offers inspiration to all of us. These awards show how much great work colleges are doing every day to help people realise their ambitions and develop their talents.”

The winners were announced at a glittering awards evening that marked the start of the AoC annual conference in Birmingham. The conference is an opportunity to showcase some of the ways that colleges are transforming the lives of more than two million people across England and how vital colleges are to the future of the British economy in the 21st century.

Are you thinking about an Apprenticeship? Follow in Ella’s footsteps and kick-start your future – Think Apprenticeship. Call the Apprenticeship Hotline 01392 400800 today.