THERE are only a few weeks left for nominations for this year's Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards, one of the major events on the local business calendar.

Entries close on June 30 and the winner of last year's employer of the year category, the Community Housing Group of Kidderminster, is encouraging individuals, schools, businesses and training providers to take part and emulate its success. In the last year the group has seen huge success with apprenticeships and in addition to the Worcestershire apprenticeship employer of the year 2015 award, Vestia Community Trust which is part of the Community Housing Group, saw one of its apprentices, Kath Sandford, achieve the intermediate apprentice of the year at the National Apprenticeship Awards in January 2016.

The Awards, which will take place on November 17 at West Midland Safari Park, are now in their third year and have been previously hosted by the BBC Apprentice’s Nick Hewer and broadcaster Steph McGovern and consistently attract an audience of more than 300 people.

This year Tim Campbell, business owner and winner of the first series of BBC’s The Apprentice, will host and present the 12 awards to celebrate some of the county’s most successful apprentices, schools, training providers and apprentice employers. After winning The Apprentice, Mr Campbell went on to work for Sir Alan Sugar for three years, leading Amstrad’s foray into the health and beauty market, before founding the Bright Ideas Trust, an organisation that supports young aspiring entrepreneurs with advice, encouragement and investment.

The 2016 Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards will recognise excellence in 12 categories: including school of the year, intermediate level apprentice of the year, Worcestershire apprentice of the year, newcomer apprenticeship employer and Worcestershire apprenticeship employer of the year.

Vikki Greenfield, head of learning & development at Vestia Community Trust, said: “The Community Housing Group invests in apprenticeships as we believe that apprentices are key to achieving the vision of the company as well beneficial to the individuals. It was fantastic to be recognised as the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Employer of the Year 2015 and receive such recognition through the awards. I would encourage everyone to ensure they place their nominations by the deadline.”

Gary Woodman, executive director of Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership, added: “The Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards is a fantastic event and a great way to celebrate the successes of our local apprentices, apprentice employers, schools and training providers and so please do place your nominations.

“Apprenticeships play a vitally important role for our local workforce, helping businesses to meet their future workforce requirements and increase productivity. A wealth of support and advice is available on the Worcestershire Apprenticeships website for anyone considering employing an apprentice at www.worcsapprenticeships.org.uk.”

Cllr Dr Ken Pollock, Worcestershire County Council cabinet member with responsibility for economy, skills and infrastructure, said: "I would encourage employers to make their nominations for the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards and help celebrate and further improve the already fantastic apprenticeship opportunities that we enjoy here in Worcestershire.

“I look forward to being able to recognise and celebrate the achievements of the county’s apprentices at the awards ceremony on 17 November.”

For more information about apprenticeships locally and to nominate for this year’s Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards before June 30 deadline, visit the Worcestershire Apprenticeships website at www.worcsapprenticeships.org.uk.

Completed nominations, enquiries for sponsorship opportunities and table bookings for the awards should be sent to awardsnominations@worcestershire.gov.uk. Join the conversation on Twitter using #WorcsApprentice.