The third Youth and Business Awards was a great success, attracting a wealth of supporters, deserving winners and inspiring stories.

The awards were inspired by The 16-24 Work Club in Kingsbridge as a way to recognise, celebrate, inspire and motivate local 16-24 year olds and employers, businesses and professionals to continue to make this area a positive community to live and work in.

There were eight categories, including a new category for this year-the 16-24 Employer Excellence award which was won by the Hair Advice Centre.

The Apprentice of the Year, sponsored by Pebbles of Salcombe was won by Chrissie Morgan with joint runners up being Naomi Musegula and Lucy Stallard. The award is given to an apprentice who has demonstrated commitment to learning and has added value to the business.

Selworthy Vets were revealed as the Apprentice Employer of the year, a category sponsored by Bibby’s Accountants, with Start Point Finance finishing as the runners up.

The category celebrates employers who have enabled an apprentice to flourish through ongoing commitment, showing examples of best practice, which enables the organisations Apprenticeship programme to be successful.

The Jack Tanner Legacy Award, sponsored by Play Area Hygiene Services, is awarded to an “exceptionally inspiring 16-24-year-old, who can motivate others to reach their potential.

This year that award was won by Andrew Keeler, paralympic hopeful, with the runner up being Jak O’Connell-Swindin.

Employer of the Year, sponsored by Handbuilt By, was for a local business who has “inspired, motivated and supported 16–24-year-olds to reach their potential. It was won by Aune Valley Meats and Valley View Cafe, with joint runners up Bayleaf Gardening and Seaworthy Vets.

Learner of the Year, sponsored by The 16-24 Work Club Kingsbridge, was presented to someone who has “been involved with any internal or external training, distance learning or further education, who may have overcome obstacles, who stands out as a shining example to motivate and inspire others”.

This year, that honour was given to Toby Yeoman, with Rory Shillabeer as the runner up and Lucy Stallard being highly commended.

The Volunteer/Peer Mentor/Enabler Award, sponsored by the Hair Advice Centre, singled out Jak O’Connell-Swindin as a Volunteer/Mentor/Enabler to others in a work or business environment OR a work colleague who has helped 16– 24-year-olds through being a Mentor/Volunteer/Enabler. Dan Lynn was named runner up, and Connor Walker was highly commended.

The last award of the night, the 16–24 Entrepreneur 2017 – sponsored by the Federation of Small Businesses, aimed to honour a “16–24-year-old entrepreneur who has started and/or is growing a locally based successful business, and in doing so being an inspiration to other local 16–24-year-olds. This was won by Luke Adams Lighting, with Max Styles Photography as the runner up.

Sha Hard, 16-24 Work Club Kingsbridge co-ordinator, said: “Special thanks goes to our sponsors and supporters of the event including the Salcombe and Kingsbridge Chamber of Commerce, who have been arranging events throughout the year to raise funds for YABAAs 2017.

“They are also holding a ball at Soar Mill Cove Hotel in February in aid of YABAA’s 2018.

“The Jack Tanner Award Fund, who provided the funding for the brilliant trophy for the 16-24-year-old Entrepreneur 2017 Award and certificates for all the 16–24-year-olds.

“Special thanks also to LA Lighting, Max Styles Photography, Spirtulized Trustees and Nick Walker Printing.”

The judges were Susan Fish, chairman of Spiritulized Trustees; Simon Gotch, chairman of Skills Training UK and Rob Holmes, entrepreneur, author and founder of Gro Company.

Sha added: “For 2018 we need more nominations from all sectors of business employing local 16–24-year-olds and businesses employing them to receive the recognition they deserve.

“We know there are a lot of worthy winners out there in our local community, and nomination is an straight-forward, free process, which we can give guidance with.”