WORCESTER-based housing and care provider Sanctuary Group has been named one of the best employers in the West Midlands after scooping an award for its apprenticeship programme.

The company, based in Castle Street, took the Macro Employer of the Year (5,000-plus employees) category at the regional finals of the National Apprenticeship and Training Awards.

Amanda Gonsalves, Sanctuary Group’s director of HR, said: “We are thrilled to win this prestigious award. We believe it is important to create opportunities for people to get into the workplace and help them gain the skills needed to build successful careers.

“Sanctuary currently employs more than 200 apprentices, either directly or through its partners, and this important scheme is an integral part of the group’s talent agenda.

“Our apprenticeship programme is an increasingly popular route and these young people bring real value to our business.”

Sanctuary’s nationwide apprenticeship programme offers roles across a range of business areas, including finance, IT, business administration, health, social care, housing, maintenance operations and horticulture. The apprentices benefit from on-the-job training and receive support to work towards nationally recognised qualifications, allowing them to earn while they learn.

Sanctuary will now go forward to the national finals at WorldSkills UK – the UK’s largest national skills and careers event – at the NEC in Birmingham next month.