Time is running out to nominate entries for this year's East Kent Apprenticeships Awards (EKAAs).

The annual awards, now in its third year, aims to celebrate the cream of the apprentice crop - both individuals and the schemes they are on.

Now organisers are calling on businesses across east Kent to nominate their top apprentices before the deadline next week.

Nominations can be made for the following categories: Health, social care and science; education and early years; hair and beauty; hospitality and retail; business management and administration; construction; engineering; and creative and digital.

Also returning are two categories which focus on public and private sector businesses and organisations that go the extra mile to offer high quality apprenticeships.

The East Kent Apprenticeship Champion of the Year celebrates an individual who has acted as east Kent’s best ambassador for apprenticeships, going above and beyond to promote these opportunities to a wider audience.

There will also be a new category - Apprenticeship Champion of Covid-19 - created to acknowledge the achievements of apprentices who have adapted to learn new skills and become more flexible to cater to the ever-changing needs of businesses throughout the course of the pandemic.

The event is organised by marketing agency Pillory Barn and the East Kent College (EKC) Group.

Miranda Chapman, managing director of Pillory Barn, said: “This year we’ll see a virtual celebration via social media, which will recognise the fantastic contribution apprenticeships make to the workplace, as well as the businesses and public sector organisations supporting them.”

The deadline for entries is 5pm on Friday, June 18. For details on how to enter, click here.

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