More than 40 people trained by Mansfield-based Vision Apprentices have celebrated their achievements at a glittering graduation ceremony.

They were among 136 intermediate, advanced and higher apprentices to be honoured at the ‘class of 2016’ Nottinghamshire Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony at the Albert Hall, Nottingham, last week.

Organised by membership network NTN and supported by further education and skills body Emfec, it saw apprentices from colleges and training providers take to the stage to receive certificates of achievement in front of proud family, friends and employers.

The 44 graduates from Vision Apprentices – the apprenticeship training agency (ATA) of West Nottinghamshire College – completed apprenticeships at Levels 2 and 3 in various frameworks including business, administration and law; construction, planning and the built environment; health, public services and care; and retail and commercial enterprise.

Their ages range from 18 to 50 and they work for a host of employers across various sectors, from care-providers and hair and beauty salons, to local authorities and probation services.

Several are employed directly by Vision Apprentices and ‘hosted’ by organisations such as Ashfield and Mansfield district councils, where they gain their on-the-job experience.

Three of the graduates – Hannah Pearce, Reece Hunt and Ryan Smith, all from Mansfield – work at the college, where they have progressed to a Level 3 advanced apprenticeship in business administration after graduating from the Level 2 programme.

Now in its 12th year, the event enables apprentices, training providers and employers to celebrate at the type of formal graduation ceremony usually associated with universities. It sees apprentices receive a gown, mortarboard and certificate to complete the full graduation experience.

Guest speakers at the ceremony in the venue’s Great Hall included Clare Bonson, head of employer and delivery services at the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS); Paul Eeles, chief executive of Emfec, and Simeon Powell, Young Ambassador for NAS and an apprentice at Motorpoint Derby.

College apprentice Reece Hunt, 22, said: “It was a brilliant event. There was a celebratory atmosphere and it was great to receive my graduation certificate on stage in front of my family.

“The guest speakers were really informative. Simeon Powell, the young apprenticeship ambassador, was particularly inspiring.

“Events such as this are really important. They encourage other people to consider apprenticeships and show that you don’t necessarily have to go to university to have your hard work and achievements formally recognised.”

Faye Boucher, head of employer engagement at the college, said: “The graduation provides a wonderful opportunity for apprentices to celebrate their achievements with their families and employers, and serves as a fitting reward for their hard work and endeavour.

“I’m immensely proud that our graduating apprentices represented almost a third of those that took to the stage, which reflects our commitment to giving people of all ages access to high-quality work-related training that advances their careers.

“Increasingly, apprenticeships are seen as being every bit as valuable as a traditional university education, so it’s really important to give those who choose this vocational route the same recognition and admiration.”

One of the most successful ATAs in the country, Vision Apprentices has placed almost 3,000 young people into work since it launched in 2010. It offers a full service to employers – from recruiting apprentices on their behalf, to employing them directly and ‘hiring’ them out to businesses.