Nominations are now open for the Youth and Business Achievement Awards 2017.

The awards, run by the 16-24 Work Club, Kingsbridge, known as the YABAAs, include awards for young people, employers and mentors that support people in work between the ages of 16 and 24.

The award categories, and their description by Sha Hard of 16-24 Work Club, Kingsbridge, this year are:

Apprentice of the Year - “an apprentice who has demonstrated commitment to learning, has added value to the business. Stands out as inspiring”

Apprentice Employer of the Year – “an employer who has enabled the apprentice to flourish through ongoing commitment. Examples of your best practice which makes your organisation’s apprenticeship programme so good”

Jack Tanner Legacy Award – “exceptionally inspiring 16–24-year-old who has been making progress or has reached their goals/potential”

Learner of the Year – “16–24-year-old who has been involved with any internal or external training, distance learning or further education, may have overcome obstacles, who standout as a shine example to motivate and inspire others”

Employer of the Year – “local business that has inspired, motivated and supported 16–24-year-olds to reach their potential”

Peer mentor/Volunteer/Enabler of the Year – “either a 16–24-year-old who is a volunteer, mentor or enabler to others in a work/business environment or a work colleague who has helped 16–24-year-old through being a mentor/volunteer/enabler”

16 – 24 Entrepreneur - “who has started and/or is growing a locally based successful business, and in doing so being an inspiration to other local 16–24-year-old”

Sha added that there are “many benefits” to entering the awards, including “motivating, inspiring, recognising and celebrating local 16–24-year-olds and their business success, increasing awareness of your business, attracting new customers, suppliers and employees and positively enhancing your reputation”.

Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Tuesday, November 28, at Kingsbridge Community College Sixth Form Centre between 7.45pm and 9.30pm.

The awards are sponsored by Sabre Finance, Hair Advice Centre, Pebbles of Salcombe, Bibby’s Accountants, Play Area Hygiene Services, Federation of Small Businesses and Handbuilt By.

Awards are also supported by The Jack Tanner Fund and Kingsbridge and Salcombe Chamber of Commerce.

The Youth and Business Achievement Awards are free to enter, open to 16–24-year-old individuals and local businesses that have enabled and support local 16–24-year-olds within the Kingsbridge and Salcombe area.

Nomination forms and sponsorship details available from the website: www.kingsbridgeworkclub.com. The closing date for nominations is Sunday, November 12. Further details of the award, terms and conditions are also available on the website.