A COUNTY IT business has been highly commended for its commitment to apprenticeships and for its work in developing young people and providing jobs.

Kidderminster-based Minster Micro Computers finished runner-up in the newcomer apprenticeship employer of the year category at the recent Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards, organised by the Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, which recognise exceptional achievement amongst Worcestershire’s best apprentices, employers and training providers.

Susan Marlow, director at Minster Micro, which employs a team of 20 specialists at its Worcester Road offices, said: “To be recognised and commended by business leaders for our successful apprenticeship programme is a superb milestone for us, especially as we were up against some large nationwide companies. We are only 18 months into the new programme but already it has seen a number of young people flourishing and developing themselves. They have also helped to grow our business with an injection of new ideas and skills, something which I think any business needs to succeed.

“It meant so much for our efforts to be highlighted at the awards and I’d like to thank all of the judges for their comments and support on what was a wonderful evening.”

The awards took place at Bewdley’s West Midlands Safari Park and were hosted by Tim Campbell, the first candidate taken on by Lord Sugar in the BBC’s hit series The Apprentice. In the past 18 months, Minster has taken on four apprentices working in marketing, IT and software engineering, and a further three apprentices have already started placements this autumn.

Minster has more than 35 years’ experience supporting a variety of businesses with their infrastructure and software. The company is an accredited SAP Business One Partner and Pegasus business software provider. The firm also supplies payroll software, training and a variety of IT support services – including the 3CX VoIP telephony system.