Hudson Contract leads the way at inaugural East Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards
As a family-owned company founded and led by former apprentices, it is fitting that Hudson Contract was headline sponsor for the very first East Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards.
Hudson is a leading provider of business services to the construction industry and helps small and medium-sized enterprises to comply with tax and employment law. Established in 1996, it is now one of the UK’s largest family-owned companies by turnover. However, Hudson has not forgotten its origins: founder and chairman David Jackson started his career as an apprentice draughtsman while managing director Ian Anfield served as a civil engineering apprentice.
Organised by the publishers of The Yorkshire Post, the glittering awards ceremony at MKM Stadium in Hull celebrated the region’s most promising and committed apprentices as well as the trainers and employers that support them. Event partners included manufacturing giant BAE Systems, food producer Cranswick and Yorkshire Cancer Research.
Justine Greening, a former secretary of state for education and founder of social impact consultancy This is Purpose, was headline speaker and Hudson’s guest. She told the audience: “I really think that people have huge potential and one of the most important things we can focus on right now as a country is making sure that wherever they are, people are able to connect up to opportunities. Tonight is about celebrating that.”
Ms Greening praised Bridlington-based Hudson for supporting the event and playing an active role in its local community by sponsoring apprentices to help them learn valuable trade skills and get a good start in life. The Hudson Foundation pays £50 per week towards the wages of an apprentice during their first year of employment. To date, the initiative has supported more than 260 young people.
As well as being headline sponsor, Hudson sponsored the individual categories for Construction Apprentice and SME Employer of the Year. Erin Symons of Hull-based Beal Homes won the apprentice award for what judges described as her “exceptional qualities, outstanding performance and remarkable journey”. Sheffield-based social housing consortium Efficiency North won the employer award for its En:Able Futures programme to kickstart careers in construction.
Hudson’s other guests included Charlie Dewhirst, MP for Bridlington and the Wolds, Cllr Anne Handley, leader of East Riding Council, and Patricia Dalby on behalf of the Lieutenancy of the East Riding of Yorkshire.
Ian Anfield, Managing Director of Hudson Contract, said: “We were delighted to support the inaugural East Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards as the headline sponsor. It was wonderful to recognise and celebrate the incredible efforts and achievements of young people embarking on their careers.”
The judging panel included Fiona Gamwell, communications officer at Hudson and a member of the government-backed Yorkshire and Humber Apprenticeship Ambassador Network.
To find out more about the work Hudson Contract does throughout Yorkshire, and how they can support your business, click here.