The county’s brightest young workers were honoured at Wiltshire Enterprise’s Apprentice-ship Awards.

Young trainees from across the area, as well as some of the most supportive employers, were presented with their awards by Nick Hewer from BBC1’s The Apprentice at Wiltshire College, Trowbridge, on Thursday night.

Awards were presented to 32 youngsters who have shown the most enterprise and promise throughout the last year of training.

College vice principal Bev Flanagan told guests: “We are very proud of our apprentices and the hard work they put in.

“We are working with 750 apprentices and 600 employers and we know from the feedback we get back that these young people make a real difference to the firms they go into.”

Mr Hewer said after handing out the awards: “Isn’t it refreshing to meet such bright and committed young people who contribute so much to the economy in such a difficult climate? They certainly seem to have a lot more about them than some of the other Apprentices I have come across on the show.”

Wiltshire Enterprise is being backed by the Gazette in a campaign to recruit 100 apprentices in 100 days.

The current total stands at 38 apprentices enrolled in 38 days.

Award winner Gemma Bliss, 18, left Hardenhuish School in Chippenham with just a handful of GCSEs. But an apprenticeship through Wiltshire College with Cooper Tires in Melksham has given her a great grounding in business administration. “I would encourage anyone to do an apprenticeship. You get so much experience and now I am studying for a qualification. I have had so much help,” she said.

The winners: Daniel Thompson, Motor Vehicle Level 2; Richard Webb, Motor Vehicle Level 3; Ashley Whittaker, Wood Occupations Level 2; Leigh Taylor, Wood Occupations Level 3; Justin Haggett, Trowel Occupations Level 2; Aaron Morris, Trowel Occupations Level 3; Julie Cox, Accounting Level 3; Emily Hollis, Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence Level 3; Mark Nutt, Health & Social Care Level 2; Michael Crew, Gamekeeping Level 2; Katie Saunders, Animal Care Level 2; Nathan Salmons, Agriculture Level 2; Tobi Parker, Hospitality/Professional Cookery Level 2; Richard Brown, Hospitality Professional Cookery Level 3; Andy Dyer, Horticulture Level 2; Matthew Lucas, Painting & Decorating Level 2; Georgia Foskett, Design Support Level 2; Ben Cariss Smith, Creative & Cultural Level 2; Nick Gittins, Furniture Level 2; Thomas Durston, Furniture Level 3; Michael Williams, Engineering Technical Support Level 2; Grant Files, Performing Manufacturing Operations Level 2; Lisa King, Childcare Level 2; Gemma Bliss, Business Administration Level 2; Toni Bate, Retail Level 2; Tristan Bubb, Agricultural Engineering Level 2; Stacie Courtley, Hairdressing Level 2; Kelly Dillon, Hairdressing Level 3; Josh Witcombe, Plumbing Level 2; Thomas Mellors, Plumbing Level 3; Daniel Pratt, Installation & Commissioning Level 3; Christopher King, Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering Level 3.