Volvo Trucks hands out its apprentice awards at a full cap and gown graduation ceremony, held almost annually since the launch of modern apprenticeships in 1996 (pictured below). "Our graduations have always been great events," says Adam Plastow, competence development manager (delivery apprenticeships). "They took a hit due to COVID, but we ran a very successful graduation last year at Leicester De Montfort University." In Volvo's case, every apprentice is entered for the awards from the start of their apprenticeship, with the result being decided through his or her time on the programme. To do this, feedback is gathered from tutors and mentors, based on the results of the various tests and other workplace tasks that they undertake during their training. "We like to do it this way as we don't feel it's fair to judge it on one day of competition, due to the pressure that would involve," Plastow states. "We have categories for the academic side, the practical elements and an overall apprentice of the year award."
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