Steve Willis Training Centre in Portchester celebrated with apprentices, employers, and staff Tuesday evening, the 16th of April 2024 at the Village Hotel.
It was round two for us to celebrate the success of 50 apprentice graduates who have completed their apprenticeships as Gas Engineering Operatives (Level 3) and Installation and Maintenance Electricians (Level 3). We were joined by a host of industry and local representatives celebrating the apprentices’ achievements. Rebecca Cocks from Kane presented the Steve Belcher award, Steve Brice from Worcester Bosch presented the Gas Apprentice of the Year award and Sam Ryan – Electrical Curriculum Lead presented the Apprentice of the Year Electrical award on behalf of YESSS Electrical.
All apprentices were presented with their Certificates, cheered on by friend, families, employers, and the Steve Willis Training team. It was a pleasure to share the moment of our apprentices’ achievements with VIP guests, including Councillor Chrissie Bainbridge, County Councillor Roger Price, and Anne Davies and Joe McDowell from Motiv8.
The event also served as a fitting finale to our graduation ceremonies held across Steve Willis Training Centre’s locations in Burgess Hill, West Sussex, and Portchester, Hampshire. With a total of 124 apprentices completing their training in 2024, the centre’s commitment to excellence shone through every success story.
We hosted an incredible auction featuring a prized Olympics Rio 2016 picture autographed by legendary athletes Usain Bolt, Mo Farah, Michael Phelps, Laura Kenny, and Bradley Wiggins. This exclusive item was generously donated by East Coast Signs and Mounted Memories. Additionally, we had a tool bag and screwdriver set contributed by BEW Electrical, adding to the excitement. Our event was further enriched by an array of raffle prizes generously provided by local businesses in the Portchester area such as Monument Tools, Beytug, Erase Tattoo, Let’s Get Lashed, V Lounge Salon, Tracey Young Florist, Creative Beautique Hairdressing, Southern Tyre and Battery Service, Portsmouth Player Ready, Garson Garden Centre, YGT Fitness, L & A Jewellers Gosport, Black Axe Throwing, 24/7 Fitness, Flip Out, and K&T Heating.
All proceeds from the auction and raffle will be donated to Motiv8, a community-based charity operating in the Portsmouth, Havant, Gosport, and Fareham area. Motiv8 provides safe spaces with trusted adults to help young people and families develop skills, tools, and resilience to overcome challenges.
We are thrilled to announce that we raised an incredible £1,700 on the night. Later in the year, at The Big Give, when donations are doubled, we will contribute this amount to Motiv8. This means our £1,700 donation will become £3,400, making a fantastic impact on the important work Motiv8 does.
Reflecting on the evening’s events, it becomes evident that success is not merely an individual pursuit but a collective triumph. From the initial stages of recruitment to the ongoing support provided by dedicated teams at Steve Willis Training Centres, the journey of each apprentice is intertwined with the unwavering commitment of mentors, trainers, and employers.
As the applause fades and the celebrations draw to a close, the legacy of this evening endures – a testament to the transformative power of education, mentorship, and community support. In honouring the achievements of these apprentice graduates, Steve Willis Training reaffirms its mission to cultivate not just skilled professionals, but our next generation of Gas Heating Engineers and Electricians.
