2022 St Helens Borough Business Awards launched

St Helens Chamber and St Helens Borough Council have announced the 2022 St Helens Borough Business Awards.

The awards celebrate the many achievements of businesses and are now open for entries until midnight on 28 June. Out of 12 awards, three are dedicated to education.

The first award to take the spotlight is the Education and Business Partnership Award. This award is aimed at schools, colleges and further education providers that engage effectively with business.

It recognises schools, colleges and further education providers who can demonstrate partnership working with local businesses and how they help pupils develop crucial employability skills valued by employers.

Judges will be looking at methods used to engage with the business community; why levels of engagement are important to the organisation; and how employability and soft skills are incorporated into learning and training.

The winner of the 2021 Education and Business Partnership Award was Rainford High School.

The ‘Student of the Year’ award is eligible to anyone who is working towards or has completed a qualification in the last 12 months, as long as they have been trained by a provider based in St Helens.

Judges will be looking at a student’s performance rate, personal and professional development; the levels of dedication the student has shown and the outcomes achieved; what they have done to be an example of an outstanding and inspirational student; and the impact they have made on other students, the local community or work place engagements.

Last year’s Student of the Year was Dylan Coward, from MD Creatives training school.

Finally, within the categories dedicated to education, is the ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award.

Any students who have completed an apprenticeship should enter this category rather than Student of the Year, as it is geared towards those who are working towards or have completed their apprenticeship in the last 12 months by a provider in St Helens.

The award recognises the achievements of hardworking apprentices who show dedication to learning new skills, their professional development and a commitment to their business.

Judges will be looking at the ways the entrant has brought something different to the business; details of any outcomes that have been implemented as a direct result of their contribution; how the entrant has used their own initiative to the benefit of the business; and their ability to work collaboratively with enthusiasm and entrepreneurial skill.

The winner of last year’s Apprentice of the Year went to Courtney Hodgkinson, from TD Construction Testing Ltd.

Tracy Mawson, Chief Executive at St Helens Chamber, commented: “In what have been challenging times for businesses across the region, we’ve seen some amazing success stories and have supported local businesses to grow and develop – and the awards provide the perfect place to celebrate this.”

Businesses can also enter a number of other categories, including:

· Business Hero: Community Commitment Award (BCC: The Community Champion)

· Business Start Up of the Year

· Employer of the Year (BCC: The Workforce Developer)

· Entrepreneur of the Year (BCC: The Game Changer)

· Export Business of the Year (BCC: The Global Player)

· Green Business of the Year (BCC: The Planet Saver)

· Small Business of the Year

· Social Business of the Year

· Scale Up Business of the Year (BCC: The Rapid Riser)

Councillor David Baines, Leader of St Helens Borough Council, said: “The business community in St Helens Borough has demonstrated amazing resilience over the last few years and continues to go from strength to strength.

“We have thousands of outstanding businesses in the borough, from small independents to large multinationals, and it’s fantastic to have the opportunity to recognise and celebrate their amazing achievements at the St Helens Borough Business Awards.”

Cllr Baines added: “These awards will be shining a light on the talent, hard work and dedication of the St Helens workforce. The St Helens business community is a force to be reckoned with and as a council we’re determined to do all we can to help them go from strength to strength.”

The Awards ceremony will be held at the Totally Wicked Stadium on Friday 30th September.

Tickets are available at £60 +vat. For more information about the awards and to enter visit: https://www.sthelenschamber.com/business/st-helens-borough-business-awards/

For further information about remaining sponsorship opportunities call 01744 742028 or email events@sthelenschamber.com