Shortlist announced: School Leaver of the Year 2018

The prize is part of AllAboutSchoolLeavers’ sixth annual ranking of the UK’s top employers for school leavers.

The finalists for AllAboutSchoolLeavers’ prestigious School Leaver of the Year award have been revealed, ahead of a ceremony in May highlighting the great work being done by apprentices and school leaver trainees.

The prize is part of AllAboutSchoolLeavers’ sixth annual ranking of the UK’s top employers for school leavers, in which businesses are acknowledged for the great apprenticeship and school leaver programmes they offer.

The School Leaver of the Year finalists come from a broad spectrum of industries and employers, from international banks, accountancy and advisory firms, engineering and energy companies, to national pub/restaurant chains, automotive and science/technology businesses.

The shortlist was put together by an expert panel drawn from the world of careers, skills development and business, and judges based their decision on a number of factors. School leavers were assessed by their achievements in their positions so far, as well as their contribution to their business, from a commercial or technical perspective.

School leavers were also assessed on giving back to their employers – whether they have contributed to the firm above and beyond their normal duties – and on what makes them and their impact in their role especially unique and deserving of recognition.

The School Leaver of the Year 2018 finalists:

Alex Middleton, UBS

Dale Turner, Mazars

Heeran Basi, Severn Trent

Henrik Kallander, Volvo Trucks

Jade Garner, EY

Melissa Dube, BDO

Millie Boult, Tata Steel

Morgan Remington, Greene King

Verity Jackson, DSTL

Vikas Khan, Arvato UK

School leavers were also assessed on giving back to their employers – whether they have contributed to the firm above and beyond their normal duties – and on what makes them and their impact in their role especially unique and deserving of recognition.

The judges were impressed by the high standard of all entries, a testament to the increasingly important work that apprentices and school leaver trainees undertake up and down the country, on a daily basis.

Last year’s winner was Alistair Wheeler of BT, in 2016 it was Amber Westmoreland of EY, and Honeybea Youngman of Pret a Manger scooped the prize in 2015 and Melissa Calleja from the same company won in 2014, while Joshua Foster from CGI won at the first awards in 2013. Three years on, Honeybea Youngman is still with Pret – now working in a prominent role in the social marketing team, demonstrating how the award has a history of recognising rising talent. 

The School Leaver of the Year 2018 will be announced at the School Leaver Awards ceremony, taking place in London on Thursday 17 May, complete with celebrity host comedian Josh Widdicombe.

The expert judging panel:

Sharon Stephens  – Head of Member and Business Development, UK Chamber of Shipping

Steve Nash – Chief Executive, The Institute of the Motor Industry

Stephen Isherwood – CEO, Institute of Student Employers

Robert West – Programme Director, Creative and Cultural Skills

Nick Ellins – Chief Executive, Energy & Utility Skills

Amy Gough – Director of Operations, Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB)

Sue Hurst – Head of Schools Outreach Programmes, Civil Service

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