SANCTUARY Group, one of the partners in the Worcester News-backed 100 in 100 apprentice campaign, is celebrating after one of its own young workers scooped a top accolade.

Laura Dyke, who has followed an accounting and finance apprenticeship at the housing and care provider from Castle Street, Worcester, received a highly commended prize in the Higher Apprentice of the Year category in the West Midlands regional section of the National Apprenticeship Awards.

Organised by the NAS, the annual awards are designed to celebrate the achievements of apprentices and the businesses that employ them.

Sanctuary was one of the early supporters of the 100 in 100 initiative which aims to have 100 Worcestershire businesses take on apprentices in 100 days.

Miss Dyke, who joined Sanctuary in 2007, has excelled in her role in the company’s finance team completing a level two course in business and administration before progressing to AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) qualifications.

Having completed AAT levels two and three she is now studying for the advanced level four. The 21-year-old of Stourport-on-Severn, said: “I am very pleased to have achieved this but I could not have done it without all the help and support from Sanctuary and Herefordshire and Worcestershire Group Training Association. This achievement means the world to me. The apprenticeship has given me knowledge, skills and experience in many different areas that will help me throughout my working life and I will continue to learn and grow through Sanctuary.” Established in 2007, Sanctuary’s apprenticeship scheme currently employs 102 apprentices across the country, 52 directly and 50 indirectly through partnership arrangements with development contractors, and the success of the programme to date was recognised when it won Apprenticeship Employer Award from the Worcester Group Training Association in 2010.

David Bennett, Sanctuary’s group chief executive, said: “We are all delighted with this fantastic achievement by Laura who is a shining example of the true value apprentices bring to organisations.

“Apprenticeships equip us with the skill sets and expertise we need for future developments but they are also good for individuals as they allow people to earn while they learn and provide a meaningful career path with genuine prospects.”