A COMPANY has won a regional award for investing in apprentices.
Maycast-Nokes Precision Engineering, based in Factory Lane West, Halstead, won the British Computer Society award for SME Employer of the Year.
The National Apprenticeship Awards’ regional winners come from a wide range of industries now progressing to the national stage.
Production engineer Ashley Phillips said: “It went really well – we were very honoured to receive this award.
“The fact that there were no other companies which came highly commended in our category showed we were head and shoulders above the rest of the competition.
“I think its because everybody contributes to the development of our apprentices, not just management but educational providers as well as every single employee.
“We even came highly commended in the category of recruitment excellence.”
The company, who employ around 130 people, says it hopes to win the national awards.
Mr Phillips added: “It’s not just some way to tick a box, we appreciate the importance of apprentices and many are starting to realise this now.
“Obviously, we strive to make improvements and we think that going to the nationals and winning that will help.
“We’ve got a winning formula and it just need some tweaking here and there.”
The company was one of 17 apprentice employers and individuals recognised at the East of England regional ceremony on September 11 at Newmarket Racecourse.
Now in their 16th year, the awards showcase the diverse and growing range of sectors engaged with apprenticeships, celebrating the achievements of outstanding apprentices and employers.
ESFA apprenticeships group director Keith Smith said: “The National Apprenticeship Awards are important to the whole sector because they truly demonstrate how apprenticeships fire up careers, whilst recognising how apprenticeships enable employers to grow their own talent, reduce staff turnover and enhance the skills their company needs to succeed.”
The final award ceremony will take place in November.
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