CP Foods UK Ltd, winners of the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Employer of the Year 2017, are encouraging local businesses, apprentices, schools and training providers to enter this year’s awards.

The success has continued to pour in for Kidderminster-based CP Foods UK Ltd after winning last year’s Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards and the company is now encouraging other companies to enter before the July 6 deadline.

Since winning their Employer of the Year awards, CP Foods UK has benefited from bringing new young talent into their business offering permanent roles and providing a career path for individuals’ futures.

Last year, the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards attracted a record audience of 360 attendees and were hosted by comedian Mark Watson.

A total of 12 awards will recognise some of the county’s most successful apprentices, schools, training providers and apprentice employers. These include:

APPRENTICE AWARDS

School of the year – sponsored by Worcestershire Training Provider Association

Intermediate Level Apprentice of the year

Advanced Level Apprentice of the year – sponsored by Southco Manufacturing

Higher Level Apprentice of the year

Worcestershire Apprentice of the year – sponsored by Worcester Bosch

EMPLOYER AWARDS

Newcomer Apprenticeship Employer of the year

Small Apprenticeship Employer of the year (less than 50 employees) – sponsored by Herefordshire & Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce

Medium Apprenticeship Employer of the year (more than 50 employees) – sponsored by CP Foods UK Ltd

Large Apprenticeship Employer of the year (more than 250 employees)

Apprenticeship Ambassador of the Year

Training Provider of the Year – sponsored by Sanctuary Group

Worcestershire Apprenticeship Employer of the Year – sponsored by Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd.

Once again, the two overall awards are being sponsored by Yamazaki Mazak UK Ltd for Worcestershire Apprenticeship Employer of the Year and Worcester Bosch for Worcestershire Apprentice of the Year.

Sponsorship opportunities are available and tables are on sale for the awards which will take place on Thursday, November 15, at West Midland Safari Park.

Mark Cheadle, managing director at CP Foods UK, said: “We were unaware of the impact that apprenticeships could have on our business – until now. We have some excellent, motivated young talent who are so keen to learn, bringing a modernised environment to our business.

“We will continue to support apprenticeships, promoting their significance in today’s business world with our involvement in skills fairs and school industry days.

“We would urge other businesses to do the same to realise the benefits that this can bring. We are very proud of our commitment to apprenticeships and the apprenticeship awards evening is a fantastic way to celebrate success for those involved.”

Gary Woodman, chief executive of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “CP Foods UK are a fantastic example of how a local business can achieve so much thanks to the work of Worcestershire’s apprenticeships.

“I look forward to being able to celebrate the successes that apprenticeships have brought for many more businesses at this year’s event and I would urge local companies to submit their entries at the earliest opportunity.”

Cllr Marcus Hart, Cabinet Member with Responsibility for Education and Skills at Worcestershire County Council, added: “CP Foods UK were very worthy winners at last year’s awards and it was great to see how a local business can offer so much support to a large number of apprentices.

“Of course this year’s awards are about recognising the many additional success stories our local employers have had in the last 12 months and I look forward to yet another memorable event at the West Midland Safari Park.”

To enter this year’s Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards, go to the Worcestershire Apprenticeships website, worcsapprenticeships.org.uk. To submit your nominations, enquiries for sponsorship opportunities and table bookings, email awardsnominations@worcestershire.gov.uk