THE second Youth and Business Achievement Awards saw a ‘high level of achievement’ and organisers are hoping for bigger next year.

Held on November 29, at Costa Coffee in Kingsbridge, the 2016 Youth and Business Achievement Awards, known as YABAAs, saw finalists and their guests arrive to see the award ceremony take place.

Started by the 16–24 Work Club Kingsbridge, the awards aim to ‘recognise, celebrate, inspire and motivate local 16–24 year olds and local employers, businesses and professionals to continue to build on and making a positive community to live and work in’.

The awards were judged by Simon Gotch, the chairman of Skills Training UK and Rob Holmes, entrepreneur, author and founder of the Gro Company. They said that they were ‘very impressed’ by the ‘high level of achievement by the nominated 16–24 year olds and the businesses supporting them’.

Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Sabre Finance, for the ‘apprentice who has demonstrated commitment to learning and has added value to the business’ was awarded to Becky Griffen, apprentice at the Hair Advice Centre.

Philly James, hospitality apprentice, and Shannon Bolton, hairdressing apprentice, were the runners up.

Apprentice Employer of the Year, sponsored by Bibby’s Accountants, for the ‘employer who has enabled the apprentice to flourish through ongoing commitment’ was awarded to the Victoria Inn in Salcombe, with the Hair Advice Centre as runner up.

The Jack Tanner Legacy Award, sponsored by Kingsbridge Information Centre, for an ‘exceptionally inspiring 16–24 year old who can motivate others to reach their potential’ was awarded to Connor Walker, Police Cadet Leader, with Emily Tolchard, Harriet Baker and Aaron Walsh as runners up.

Employer of the Year, sponsored by Pizza Planet, for a local business that has ‘inspired, motivated and supported 16–24 year olds to reach their potential’ was awarded to Boots in Kingsbridge, with the Hair Advice Centre and the Victoria Inn as runners up.

Learner of the Year, sponsored by Pebbles of Salcombe, for ‘a 16–24 year old who has been involved with any internal or external training, distance learning or further education, who may have overcome obstacles, who stands out as a shining example to motivate and inspire others’ was awarded to Harriet Baker of the 16-24 Work Club.

Rob Came - Sabre Vocational training, Ellen George - Victoria Inn Vocational learning, Philly James - Victoria Inn Vocational training, Naomi Musegula - 16–24 Work Club, Alix Myers – Boots Chemist and Aaron Walsh – Victoria Inn were runners up.

Volunteer/Peer Mentor/Enabler, sponsored by Hair Advice Centre, for ‘an 16-24 year old, who is a Volunteer/Mentor/Enabler to others in a work or business environment, or a colleague who has helped 16–24 year olds through being a Mentor/Volunteer/Enabler’ was awarded to Abby Newman and Molly White of the Gym Club.

Dan Lynn, 16–24 Work Club, and Connor Walker – Police Cadet Leader, were runners up.

This year, for the first time, there was also the 16–24 Entrepreneur 2016 Award, sponsored by Victoria Inn, for ‘a 16–24 year old entrepreneur who has started and/or is growing a locally based successful business’ which was awarded to Guy Heynes and Elliott Myatt of Play Area Hygiene Services.

Luke Adams and Alex Phillips of L&A Lighting and Technology and Max Styles of Max Styles Photography were runners up.

Organiser Sha Hard said: ‘Special thanks goes to our sponsors and supporters of the event including Salcombe and Kingsbridge Chamber of Commerce with Kathy Harrod, The Jack Tanner Award Fund who provided the funding for the brilliant trophy for the 16 24 year olds Entrepreneur 2016 Award and certificates for all the winners and runners up.

‘Special thanks also to L&A Lighting, Max Styles Photography, Laura Harding and all her staff at Costa, Spirtulized Trustees and Nick Walker Printing as well as judges Susan Fish, chairman of Spiritulized Trustees, Simon Gotch, chairman of Skills Training UK and Rob Holmes – entrepreneur, author and founder of Gro Company.

Next year, the organisers are hoping for more nominations for the awards. They are open to all 16-24 year old and the businesses and organisations that employ and support them. Keep an eye on the website: www.kingsbridgeworkclub.com and Facebook page: @16.24WorkClubKingsbridge for updates on next year’s awards.