MCA celebrates award winners during National Apprenticeship Week

It is National Apprenticeship Week (8-14 February) – the annual week-long celebration of the amazing work being done by employers and apprentices across the country – and we have more than a bit of good news to share 🏆🏆.

As we emerge from the cold, dark days of a winter in lockdown, we have all been warmed in the Maritime & Coastguard Agency by the success of our nominees in the Department for Transport Group Apprenticeship Awards 2021.

The MCA are delighted to announce that the head of the UK Ship Register’s business management unit, Neil Peacey, has been named the DfT Apprentice Line Manager of the Year 2021.

Neil has won both the DfT and MCA Apprentice Line Manager of the Year awards

Congratulations Neil.

He was granted full marks by the DfT Group panel with the unanimous decision seeing him win the award.

Neil has also been presented with the MCA Apprentice Line Manager of the Year 2021, in recognition of the enthusiasm he has evoked in his apprentices – with all three under his wing nominating him independently.

“I am delighted and honoured to receive this award. I have enjoyed the challenge supporting my three apprentices through their programmes and I would like to thank them for nominating me for this prestigious award.”

Neil has spent nearly two decades in the maritime industry and is skilled in project management and governance from more than 20 years in the MCA. He has become a role model for other line managers with his support, encouragement, and compassion for his team.

His support and guidance has seen his apprentices achieve significant personal and professional development with all three recognising his encouragement and engagement as a key element in their success.

“My priority is to ensure my staff has opportunities for development, providing them with skills, knowledge and confidence that they can use in their future careers within the MCA. I believe that an apprenticeship offers this opportunity”, he added.

Presenting Neil's award, DfT apprenticeship champion, Caroline Low said: "I think what particularly stood out from your nomination Neil was the fact that you had encouraged your apprentices to enrol on the programme in the first place. It is really important that we’re not just thinking about people we’re bringing in from outside the department but also how we can use apprenticeships to really support the learning and development of our existing staff.

“So we’re really grateful for what you’ve done and the feedback that you have from your apprentices is fantastic.

“They describe you as a positive role model, offering support on a daily basis which is so important. Not a once-a-month ‘how’s it going’ but every day just a little bit and checking in with people.

“It’s wonderful to hear the work you’re doing to support the apprenticeship programme.”

The team’s success does not stop there, with Neil’s three apprentices also nominated for the MCA Apprentice of the Year 2021 award.

They all completed their level 3 business administration apprenticeships under his kind and watchful eye, with Sophie going on to represent the MCA in the DfT Apprentice of the Year 2021 category. Although she was pipped to the post by just one mark in the end, she has been named the winner of the MCA Apprentice of the Year 2021.

Sophie is passionate about the work of the MCA

Congratulations Sophie.

Sophie joined the agency during lockdown and has shown dedication and commitment to her apprenticeship, her work and her team.

Manager Neil Peacey said: “She played a leading role in an important research project and has been a role model to her fellow apprentices when faced with challenges in the initial months of her course. Her tenacity and drive to learn is admirable.”

Sophie said: 

“What a lovely surprise, thank you. The opportunity to take an apprenticeship alongside starting a new job has been invaluable, as it has really helped facilitate my learning about the Agency overall, its activities, priorities, aims, and values."

She added: “The apprenticeship has also provided a really important space to be able to develop key skills and behaviours that can immediately be used in my role for the benefit of the Agency. Special thanks should be given to my line manager, who not only ensured a smooth introduction to a new job in a new organisation but, from the outset, has offered invaluable support which ensures I get the most out of my apprenticeship.

“As a result, I feel very connected to the MCA, despite having never been in the office.”

We would also like to give special mention to fellow MCA apprentice nominee Nidhi Sanil.

Nidhi has found her apprenticeship a 'positive experience'

Nidhi said: “I am so pleased to have been nominated for the Apprentice of the Year award. The Business Administration Apprenticeship has certainly been a worthwhile thing to do and being nominated for this award has made it even more of a positive experience.

“I’m very grateful to my line manager for putting my name forward for this award.”

We are so proud of all of our apprentices and their hard work, thank you for your dedication.