The second annual BEST South West and West of England Regional Training Awards were held on Wednesday 16 January at St George's Hall in Bristol.
Hosted by Andrew Blunsdon, chairman of the B&ES Education Committee, and managing director of Priddy Engineering Services, the event attracted more than 100 guests, family and friends of apprentices. Organised by B&ES and its subsidiary Building Engineering Services Training (BEST), president Sue Sharp and chief executive Blane Judd were also present.

Ewan Davies Smith of Babcock International in Yeovilton, Somerset, was named BEST Apprentice of the Year and his company won the Employer Recognition Award. He also took the Electro-technical Level 3 Award.

The BEST Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Sam Cousins of Mitie TFM, Weston-super-Mare.

Jenny Gould of MFM Air Conditioning, Bristol, won the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Level 2 Award.

The Heating and Plumbing Level 3 Award was presented to Luke Maggs of Brothwell Irvine, Torquay.

Jack Inman of Europa Nationwide Technical Services, Bristol, took the Heating and Ventilating Industrial/Commercial Level 2 Award.

The Heating and Ventilating Industrial/Commercial Level 3 Award was presented to Jamie Bolton of Neptune Building Services, Gloucester.

Alex Kibble of EESI Group Services, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire won the Electro-technical Outstanding Achievement Award.

The Building Services Engineering Level 3 Award was presented to Charlie Hurst of Design Installation Services, Cheltenham.

B&ES president Sue Sharp said that, as an employer within building engineering services, she was well aware of the absolute need for ongoing training and development at every level of the workforce.

'I also know that the most critical element of all is the continuous recruitment of talent, intelligence and potential - gifted individuals who will, given the required degree of education, training, monitoring and encouragement, become the craftsmen, managers and innovators of the future.'

And she added that there was real and lasting benefit to be derived from initiatives that highlighted the need continuously to enhance and replenish the skills pool - and which promoted the many golden opportunities that were open to those willing to devote the necessary hard work, dedication and commitment to the progression of their career.

'The development of training awards schemes that recognise dedication and excellence certainly qualify as just such initiatives,' the president concluded.