The search is now on to find the country’s top apprenticeship and training champions.

For the first time, the National Training Awards and National Apprenticeship Awards have joined forces and entries are now open to compete to be named ‘the best of the best’ on a regional and national level.

Both awards are run by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS).

John Hayes, further education, skills and lifelong learning minister, said: “Skills are vital because they encourage ambition and enterprise and help drive economic growth and social renewal.

“These joint Awards offer a great platform for young people and employers to gain recognition not just for excelling in their chosen field, but for playing a leading part in that vital process.”

The National Training Awards is seeking entries from organisations that have delivered outstanding training programmes.

At the same time, the National Apprenticeship Awards is looking for the country’s most outstanding apprenticeship employers and apprentices.

For the second year running the very best employer category entries will also have the additional bonus of featuring in the prestigious annual Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list.

Joe Price (20, pictured above competing at WorldSkills London), who works for Shropshire based construction firm J R Slee Building & Joinery Contractors Ltd, was delighted to be crowned Advanced Apprentice of the Year at last year’s Awards.

He said: “My Apprenticeship has been one of the best things I have ever done.  It has given me the opportunity to pursue a worthwhile career in a field I love and I have achieved so much is such a short space of time.

“Winning the award was a real honour and is a reflection of the high quality training and support I received from my college, work mates and employer.”

This year the Award winners will have the honour of celebrating their success together at Europe’s largest skills and careers event; The Skills Show – at the NEC Birmingham on November 14.

The show, which is set to become an annual event, is designed to shine the spotlight on education and skills.  It is part of a new era for skills which includes improved quality Apprenticeships and recognition of the vital importance of skills in this country.

David Way, chief executive of NAS, said: “The National Apprenticeship Awards and National Training Awards recognise the crucial role skills play in helping individuals develop fulfilling careers, driving competitiveness and fuelling economic growth.

“Entering is a real opportunity for employers and individuals to gain the recognition they richly deserve for building the national skills base, and sharing centre stage at such a prestigious event will be a fitting tribute.”

To find out more about how to enter both the National Apprenticeship Awards and/or the National Training Awards visit apprenticeships.org.uk/awards.

Entries close on Friday May 25.

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