Aimee wins Thames Valley Apprentice of the Year
Recently promoted Care Assistant Aimee Empson was named Apprentice of the Year at the Thames Valley Business and Community Awards Ceremony held at the Hilton Hotel in Reading on Friday 28 February 2025.
One of Fairfield’s Care Assistants, Aimee Empson, has just been named Apprentice of the Year at the Thames Valley Business and Community Awards. She collected her award at a special ceremony on Friday, February 28, held at The Hilton in Reading.
The Apprentice of the Year award recognises immense effort, passion, and dedication to the apprentice’s field of work. Aimee was inspired to work in adult care after helping her grandparents and seeing how happy it made them and she has carried this same aim into her work at Fairfield.
Aimee worked tirelessly throughout her Level 2 studies, pushing herself to enhance her abilities and her hard work was recognised by Activate Learning, who nominated her for the Apprentice of the Year Award at the Thames Valley Business and Community Awards. From the thousands of young people on apprenticeships in the Thames Valley region, ranging from hairdressing to horse care, 64 apprentices were nominated and, from these, three were shortlisted and invited to the black-tie ceremony, at the Hilton. Aimeee was joined by her family and Andrea Blackmore, her tutor from Activate Learning.
I am absolutely thrilled to have won this award. It means so much to me.
To her shock and astonishment, Aimee was named The Thames Valley Apprentice of the Year.
She said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have won this award. It means so much to me and represents a significant milestone in my journey but I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to my managers, mentors, and my performance coach for their unwavering support and guidance throughout my apprenticeship. Their encouragement and belief in my abilities have been invaluable.”
Aimee added: “Being recognised in this way is truly humbling, and I feel incredibly honoured to receive this award. It’s a bit overwhelming, but I’m motivated to continue striving for excellence and to contribute positively to Adult Care and now I look forward to starting my level 3 apprenticeship.”
Jo Bennett, Training Manager at Fairfield Residential Home, said: “Aimee joined Fairfield straight from school as an apprentice, nervous but eager to learn. We are so proud of her achievements. She has worked tirelessly to enhance her abilities, gain confidence, and realise her potential. We cannot think of anyone more deserving of this award. Well done Aimee, you are a joy and credit to the home!”
Aimee completed her Apprenticeship in summer 2024 and was immediately promoted to the position of Care Assistant; having completed her Level 2 Qualification, she is now embarking upon her Level 3 Qualification.
Andrea Blackmore, performance coach at Activate Apprenticeships, said: “I am absolutely delighted for Aimee on winning this award. It was an honour to be present, watching her accept this well-deserved recognition, and being part of her incredible journey. She has achieved so much in such a short time, and her dedication and hard work truly deserve all the praise. It has been a pleasure to support and watch her grow, and I look forward to continuing this journey with her as she embarks on her level 3 apprenticeship in adult care.”
