Her Royal Highness attended the Cheltenham campus on July 6 to present the awards, which recognise outstanding apprentices from across the county and are supported by The Honourable Company of Gloucestershire.
A total of 19 apprentices were honoured this year across construction, engineering, agriculture and stonemasonry.
The apprentices will each receive funding to purchase specialist tools and equipment to support their training and career development.
Michael Jones, warden of The Honourable Company of Gloucestershire, said: “I was once an apprentice myself; it gave me an excellent basis on which to build my career and eventually brought me to Gloucestershire, to be responsible for Smiths electronic business.
“I feel apprenticeships are of high value for young people, to not only provide career-based skills, but also essential life skills.
“As warden of the Honourable Company, I have led the creation of this unique award, which provides cash to an apprentice often when funds are tight at the start of their career.
“This bursary allows them to purchase essential equipment, which will help them complete or expand their aspirations in their chosen career.
“In the short time since this award started, we have been able to help 65 apprentices, our aspiration is to expand the scheme to cover the whole of Gloucestershire.”
Princess Anne personally presented the awards in front of family members, employers and invited guests.
She also met with former recipients to hear how the bursary has impacted their training and employment.
Matthew Burgess, principal of Gloucestershire College, said: “It was a pleasure to welcome Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal to our Cheltenham campus for this special celebration.
“We are immensely grateful to The Honourable Company of Gloucestershire for its continued commitment to supporting apprentices.”
Among this year’s recipients were stonemasonry apprentices from Gloucester Cathedral, including Lucy Newlyn, Lewis Evans and Zak Nutting.
The Very Reverend Andrew Zihni, Dean of Gloucester, said: “These grants are a meaningful investment in talented young people whose skills will strengthen our county’s communities, industries and historic places for many years to come.”
The Honourable Company of Gloucestershire is a membership-based civic and charitable organisation that promotes the county and supports local communities and charities.
