RICHARD Huish College will find out this coming Friday whether any of its apprentices have won awards in the Somerset Apprenticeship Awards.

Patrick Millard is nominated for Higher Apprentice of the Year. He is the college’s former “sport maker” and is now pursuing a career as a police officer.

Allan Edwards, who works with Ilminster-based IT support specialists MonkeyPuzzle Computers, and Sarah Maslen, who works for the Somerset Centre for Integrated Learning, are nominated for Advanced Apprentice of the Year.

MonkeyPuzzle Computers is also nominated for Micro Employer of the Year and Musgrove Park Hospital in Taunton is nominated for Large Employer of the Year in the awards’ employer categories.

Phil Wright, owner of MonkeyPuzzle Computers, said about Allan: “Allan is able to run the shop on his own allowing me to go out on site and expand the business significantly; he really is my right hand man.

“As a direct result of recruiting an apprentice we have grown our business by 30%”.

The awards take place at the Holiday Inn, Taunton. Winners will go through to the South West Apprenticeship Awards Finals held later in the year.

Huish apprenticeship manager James Tuckett said: “All of us at Huish Business School are delighted that five of our apprentices and employers have been shortlisted in the Somerset Apprenticeship Awards.

“Apprenticeships are an excellent way to develop for both employers and students alike and we wish all five the best of luck. “