Cloud-based security specialists, OLS, are delighted to have been shortlisted by the South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards for both Higher Apprentice of the Year and SME Employer of the Year 2024.

The South Yorkshire Apprenticeship Awards, now in their sixth year, are made up of 14 categories designed to honor the outstanding apprenticeship network flourishing across the region. Judged by an impartial panel of three industry experts who volunteer their time to evaluate submissions, OLS have been awarded finalist positions in two of these 14 categories – Higher Apprentice of the Year and SME Employer of the Year 2024.

OLS pride themselves on actively encouraging apprenticeship opportunities throughout the business. Kiya Cannon, currently studying for her Level 4 Marketing Executive Apprenticeship, has been shortlisted as one of five finalists for Higher Apprentice of the Year 2024. To become a finalist, Kiya had to showcase her dedication of working with OLS whilst studying for her Level 4 qualification, alongside outstanding course results and performance reviews.

The second award OLS have been shortlisted for is SME Employer of the Year. Open to businesses who hire apprentices and have up to 259 employees. OLS had to provide an overview of their apprenticeship programme, the number of apprentices they employ, the training pathway that apprentices receive, and any future plans OLS have for the continuation or expansion of their programme. By highlighting both the benefits apprentices bring to OLS, as well as how apprentices can benefit from their programme, OLS have secured one of six finalist positions.

Ollie Law, Owner, Founder and CEO of OLS said: “We are very proud of Kiya being shortlisted for her award. She is committed to supporting different areas within OLS and has excellent interactions with both internal and external customers, all while maintaining her studies. We are pleased to see she has been recognised for this.

For OLS to be recognised as a finalist for SME Employer of the Year is another honor. We actively encourage apprenticeship opportunities throughout the business and currently have a number of apprentices undertaking on the job training in our engineering and administration departments. The whole team look forward to what the results of awards night will be.”

The awards ceremony will be held at Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham on the 23rd May 2024, from 6.45pm to 12.00am.