On Friday 4 October, the first Kent and Medway Apprentice Graduation Ceremony was held at the beautiful Rochester Cathedral and we were delighted that Alina Abagiu, Registered Manager from Abbotsleigh Care Home was one of the Graduates representing Health and Social Care.
The occasion was sponsored by several companies and organisations in the area who are heavily invested in Apprenticeships and the event was open to all those who had gained an Apprenticeship qualification in the last year, leading up to July 2019. This was the first event of its kind in the area and the plan is for it to continue year on year and hopefully build in attendance.
This year, 200 places were offered for Graduates and these were for all levels of Apprenticeship, covering all industry sectors.
The Graduates were provided with a mortarboard, gown and sash – Alina’s was purple, representing Level 5. They were also awarded with a badge in a presentation box and a certificate, as well as having individual professional photos taken before the ceremony.
In the group photograph at the end of the ceremony, Alina was stood next to the MP for Rochester and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy since 19 July 2018.
She was cheered on by her Deputy Manager, Diana Serban and Marisa Spice, Nellsar’s Learning and Development Manager; following the ceremony, they took photos and went for a celebratory drink.
Marisa commented:
“As was mentioned over and over in the speeches at the ceremony, this was to acknowledge and recognise all the hard work of those who, alongside their job, strive to achieve that extra something and gain a qualification, more skills, knowledge and confidence to really make a difference to the workforce. Next year I hope to see many more graduates from Nellsar so that we can make a real celebration of it!
I was extremely proud to be at this event with Alina and Diana, representing Nellsar. Hopefully this is just the start of things to come. We have several employees currently undertaking Apprenticeships within Nellsar and although this ceremony is for Kent and Medway, I am already seeking out similar celebrations in other areas. This time next year…!”
