James Lee (Sun Branding Solutions) wins Apprentice Mentor of the Year 2017
James Lee, Sun Branding Solutions, has been named by Firebrand as the winner of the Apprentice Mentor of the Year 2017.
Firebrand Training is delighted to announce James Lee, IT Manager at Sun Branding Solutions, as the winner of the Apprentice Mentor of the Year Award 2017.
Apprenticeship mentors directly support their apprentices to understand their role in business, develop their career path and help them face challenges both inside and outside their organisation.
The award, this year nominated by Firebrand Apprenticeships Facilitator, Sarah Monk, recognises the highest quality of apprenticeship mentoring performance.
Apprentice Mentor of the Year 2017 winner, James Lee, exceeded the usual high standard of mentoring from Firebrand apprentice employers. Through dedicated support, James was able to overcome his apprentice’s challenges, achieving outstanding results for both the apprentices and the business.
James worked closely with one of his apprentices who was struggling with his workload. Now, through James’ inspired mentoring, this employee is on track to achieve a distinction in 2018 in his Level 3 Infrastructure Technician apprenticeship.
James also demonstrated outstanding care and compassion to overcome challenges faced by his second apprentice. To support this employee on his Level 4 Network Engineer apprenticeship, James built a bespoke programme, which included reducing workload, providing dedicated support and introducing the option of working-from-home.
Through this bespoke programme, James was able to inspire new positivity and confidence in his apprentice’s work within Sun Branding Solutions.
When commenting on his mentoring experience, James said:
“It is great to see young motivated, keen apprentices willing to learn from our business. For the apprentices it is great for them to work in a business environment to gain new skills and experiences to help them drive forward in their career aspirations. Our main goal is to keep on the apprentices on after they completed they apprenticeship.
“When you look back at the start of the apprentices first few days at work, to how they are now a year or so later. The change in their confident, communications skills, professional manner at work is amazing and I am proud to be their mentors.”
Stefano Capaldo, Managing Director of Firebrand Apprenticeships, said:
“I’m proud to award James with this year’s Apprentice Mentor of the Year. James’ apprenticeship mentoring has demonstrated a level of care and openness we continually strive towards at Firebrand. James has achieved a fantastic result for both his business and the apprentices themselves.”
The annual Apprentice Mentor of the Year award is named in honour of Andy Teasdale, who passed away suddenly in 2016. Andy was Lead Apprenticeships Facilitator at Firebrand Training and this award recognises the passion and determination Andy embodied in his work.