The East Kent Apprenticeship Awards (EKAA) has announced Port of Dover as the headline sponsor for the prestigious 2025 awards, as well as Kimberly-Clark Corporation as the official dinner sponsor.
Returning for a seventh year, the awards will take place at The Yarrow in Broadstairs on Thursday 19 June, where finalists will be celebrated at a gala dinner, recognising the outstanding achievements of apprentices and apprenticeship programmes across East Kent.
The new headline sponsor Port of Dover is one of the busiest ferry ports in Europe and serves as a key gateway between the UK and countries across Europe, facilitating the movement of passengers, freight, and vehicles.
Its sponsorship highlights its commitment to developing local talent through its well-established apprenticeship programme, which provides young people with invaluable hands-on experience and qualifications. Port of Dover currently has 14 apprentices, three of whom are on an upskill programme.
Kimberly-Clark Corporation also understands the need for recognition for the amazing apprentices in Kent, and EKAA is delighted to announce it will be the official 2025 dinner sponsor.
Kimberly-Clark is a global manufacturer providing essential personal care products, including leading household brands Andrex® and Kleenex®, in the UK & Ireland for nearly 100 years.
Its business objective is to deliver ‘Better Care for a Better World’. The company’s generous support will be key in celebrating the achievements of apprentices across the region, highlighting their hard work while raising awareness of the crucial role apprenticeships play in strengthening the local economy and shaping the future workforce.
The awards are now open for nominations to all apprentices, businesses and public sector organisations based across Ashford, Canterbury, Dover, Folkestone & Hythe, Swale and Thanet.
The 2025 awards will recognise outstanding achievements across several categories, including Construction, Business and Management, Hair and Beauty, and the East Kent Apprentice Champion of the Year. Entries must be submitted by Friday 18 April 2025 to be considered.
Following the nomination process, a panel of judges will carefully select the finalists and winners, who will be invited to the gala dinner in June to celebrate their success.
Emma Williams, human resources director at the Port of Dover, said: “We are incredibly proud to be the headline sponsor of the East Kent Apprenticeship Awards this year.
“At the Port of Dover, we recognise apprentices’ vital role in shaping the future workforce, providing invaluable opportunities for individuals to develop their skills and build successful careers. Supporting this event aligns perfectly with our commitment to investing in local talent and fostering the next generation of industry leaders.
“We look forward to celebrating the achievements of apprentices across East Kent and showcasing their incredible impact on businesses and communities alike.”
James Brincat, mill manager at Kimberly-Clark, added: “Kimberly-Clark is delighted to be an official sponsor of the East Kent Apprenticeship Awards.
“We truly believe in the power of apprenticeships to strengthen communities and shape the future workforce. The commitment and expertise of our own apprentices at our Northfleet manufacturing plant are essential to our vision and significantly contribute to our success.
“We take immense pride in our apprentices and their technical and personal developments. We are happy to be supporting an event that honours local apprentices.”
