Prison officer recognised for outstanding achievement in apprentice awards

Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) apprentice Tanya Savage has been awarded a Personal Achievement Award in the Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Apprenticeship Recognition Awards.

Tanya, aged 23 from Stoke-on-Trent, undertook a Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Custodial Care while working as a Prison Custody Officer at HMP Dovegate.  She was nominated by her Assessor Chris Love for showing outstanding commitment in her training.   

Pictured: NULC Assessors Ernie Machin and Chris Love with Tanya Savage

Chris said: “Tanya is an exemplary candidate who is driven and highly motivated but at the same time, is a very modest individual. She is a credit to her generation.”

The county-wide awards ceremony was held at the Kingston Centre in Stafford on the Friday 10 February, where Tanya was presented with a certificate and prize worth £50.

Ray Duckworth (pictured left), Director HMP Dovegate endorsed Tanya’s nomination and said: “Tanya is a dedicated and talented young PCO who has demonstrated a remarkable ability to learn and develop in her skills as an Officer.

“The role of a Prisoner Custody Officer is one of the most challenging careers, limited to special individuals who balance the needs of safety, security and care with extremely challenging individuals who society are unable to manage. She works with some of the most difficult prisoners in our population and has demonstrated aptitude, diligence and determination to succeed in achieving her Apprenticeship this year.”

NULC is currently delivering the Custodial Care Apprenticeship in three prisons – HMP Doncaster, HMP Dovegate and HMP Lowdham Grange.

Tanya said: “I feel really honoured to be recognised and receive an award.  I have really enjoyed my course and have worked really hard to complete my Apprenticeship.

“The support I have received from both HMP Dovegate and Newcastle-under-Lyme College has been fantastic; I really appreciate the time and effort everyone has put into my education.  I’m now looking forward to a successful career as a Prisoner Custody Officer.”

The Apprenticeship Recognition Awards are supported by Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), local employers and all partner organisations engaged in providing quality Apprenticeships to develop businesses and drive forward the local economy.

To find out more about becoming an apprentice at NULC visit www.nulc.ac.uk/apprenticeships or contact the information point on info@nulc.ac.uk or 01782 254254.