Published at 08:21, Tuesday, 09 October 2012

CUMBRIA County Council has picked up top recognition for the work it has been doing in training young people through its apprenticeship scheme.

The council has been named North West Apprentice Employer of the Year in a high-profile award which has seen more than 1,500 organisations competing nationally in nine categories.

One of the council’s apprentices, Shannon Atkinson, also won the Advanced Apprentice of the Year for the North West region.

Shannon is currently completing her Advanced Apprenticeship in Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools at Derwent Vale Primary School, at Great Clifton, near Workington.

At the National Apprentice Service’s North West regional finals of the National Apprenticeship Awards and National Training Awards 2012, Cumbria County Council was the only public sector organisation in the North West to pick up an award in any category.

The council was recognised for its work in developing the numbers, range and levels of apprenticeships for young people in Cumbria during the last 12 months and progressing them into employment through effective workforce planning.

The council’s approach to public/private partnership in the districts was also recognised.

Judges also congratulated the council’s training providers, GEN II and Kendal College, for their ‘outstanding’ work in providing the highest quality training.

As a regional winner, the council will now be put forward to be judged nationally and, if successful in being shortlisted, will be invited to attend the National Apprenticeship Awards at the World Skills Event held at Birmingham NEC in November.

Elizabeth Mallinson, Cumbria County Council’s Cabinet member responsible for organisational development, said: “It’s fantastic that the incredibly hard work of our apprenticeships team has been recognised at such a high level.

“The county council is committed to investing in young people as, not only does it encourage our youth to continue to live and work in Cumbria, but it also brings new blood into the county council and will help make us better and stronger as an organisation in the future.”

Published by http://www.whitehavennews.co.uk