YORK Minister is to host a graduation ceremony with a difference in homage to the city’s apprentices.

The iconic building has seen many a scholar graduate from York’s universities and colleges over the years.

Now, for the second year running, it will be at the centre of a special celebratory event congratulating businesses and their employees who have successfully completed an apprenticeship in the last academic year.

The ceremony, which is part of this year’s York Business Week, will feature celebrity hairdresser Andrew Barton, who will address the audience of around 600 apprentices, employers and guests.

The event, due to be held on November 18, was created last year in a bid to highlight the importance and value of apprenticeships to employers, learners and the economy.

It is being co-ordinated by York College, the National Apprenticeship Service and York Business Week, with support from The Guilds of York, City of York Council and a number of leading training providers and businesses.

Anthony Knowles, head of Employer Accounts at the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “Through the York Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony we will be able to celebrate the successes and achievements of our local apprentices.

“It will give us the chance to recognise the hard work they have put in to achieving their apprenticeship.

“Also an increasing number of employers in the City of York realise apprenticeships can not only fulfil long-term recruitment needs and increase productivity but boost the local economy too. The ceremony will give us an opportunity to thank these apprenticeship employers for their continued investment and support”.

Nick Eggleton, director of York Business Week, added: “The York ceremony is an officially recognised ‘trailblazer’ event by the NAS and we hope with continued support of local businesses to make it a permanent part of York Business Week.”

If any Apprentice in York has completed their apprenticeship and wants to take part but hasn’t sent in their RSVP they should contact Cheryl Pearson at York College on (01904) 770227.