The shortlist for Bath's inaugural Apprenticeship Awards has been announced.
The 11 categories up for grabs have received dozens of entries from local businesses and apprentices.
The awards were launched to celebrate the contribution apprentices make to the city and honour the companies that have committed to apprenticeship schemes.
Finalists in the five Outstanding Apprentice of the Year categories include; for service industries Zuzana Kladna, Naomi Dyke, Jeremy Wilkins, Anja Gollin and Andrew Jardine; for manufacturing and engineering Harry Thorley, Laura Barnes and James Cuthbertson; for financial and business services Ben Haggerty, Ellie Bell-Langford and Ashley Allsopp; for construction Daniel Bonnett, Ben Woodruff and Jordan Ayres; and for health, public services, education and care Jade Chard, Henry Polson and Cain Robinson.
In the Medium Employer of the Year category the finalists are Aerian Studios, the egg theatre and Bath Building Society, and for Large Employer of the year the Royal High School, MacDonalds and Sirona Care and Health.
Other awards include Small Employer of the Year, Training Provider of the Year, Bath Employer of the Year and Bath Apprentice of the Year. Finalists for these categories will be announced at the awards night.
Paul Mannering, area manager for the awards' main sponsor HIT Training, said: "I have been particularly impressed by the calibre of entries from employers to apprentices and it has further reinforced my belief that we do have a wealth of truly talented and committed apprentices representing programmes from across the board.
"It is encouraging to see young people determined to work hard for a career in the industries they work in.
"As businesses look to develop and up skill their work force; and ultimately improve their service, it is nice to see employers of every size invest their time and commitment into the training of staff both new and existing into careers and acknowledge the significant value apprentices bring to the business."
City centre business Bath Aqua Glass is also supporting the honours and will be making the awards presented on the night.
The winners for the Apprenticeship Awards 2013 will be announced at a gala awards evening to be held at Bath Racecourse on July 4.
The awards will be presented by executive director of the Bath Chamber of Commerce, Ian Bell, who will be joined by guest speaker BBC Apprentice finalist, Claire Young.
Tickets are still available for the gala night.
For more information about the awards visit www.thisisbath.co.uk/apprenticeshipawards.
For updates on the awards follow #BathApprenticeAwards.
