Baltic Training Services has triumphed, winning the Skills Developer Award at the prestigious Dynamites 15 Awards that celebrate the North East’s IT and technology talent and growth.
Held at Newcastle’s Civic Centre Banqueting Hall on 22 October 2015, over 300 guests represented the best of the North East’s IT and technology business community.
The Skills Developer Award is designed to highlight the training organisation that has demonstrated the most innovative training programmes, and best apprenticeships, recruitment and staff development strategies.
Tony Pitchford sales director for Baltic Training Services said: “I’m thrilled we have been recognised with this wonderful award which puts everyone’s hard work into context as we continue to strive to offer the best possible apprenticeships, bridging the skills gap by offering career opportunities to our young talent and continued growth to our most successful companies.”
One of Baltic’s very own apprentices was awarded The Rising Star Award for most promising student or apprentice. The Dynamo North East IT Apprentice Hub graduate Kieran Stratford was delighted to accept the honor.
Kieran a 17-year-old from Seaton Delaval is a graduate of the pioneering Dynamo North East IT Apprentice Hub in Sunderland and now works as an apprentice software developer at digital agency Orange Bus in Newcastle.
“I have always felt I made the right decision to accept help and advice from Baltic and become an apprentice, and so it has proved.
“I was very fortunate to be offered an apprenticeship at Orange Bus and now as well as learning about coding on a daily basis I am able to continue my education with Baltic Training Services via webinar whilst I’m at work.
“I’ve learned more in the last year than in the whole of my secondary school education; the 15 week IT hub was a fantastic way to become an IT apprentice and I’m delighted that I’ve been singled out for this honour.”
Louise Ball operations director for Baltic Training Services said: “Kieran has shown great dedication, application and a lot of talent. During his interview process with Orange Bus he performed a task in one evening that should’ve taken a week. I’m just so pleased for him that he has been recognised in this way.”