CREATIVE communications agency drp added two more trophies to its cabinet at Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards held at West Midlands Safari Park.

The Hartlebury-based company drp triumphed in the medium employer of the year and also took the top award of the night, employer of the year. The event recognises the county's outstanding apprentices, employers, training providers and schools. More than 300 attended to celebrate excellence in apprenticeship schemes, with 12 awards presented to Worcestershire based people and businesses.

drp’s chief executive Dale Parmenter said: "A big congratulations to all our apprentices past and present and to all the team who mentor, train and help in their development. Apprenticeships provide a great deal of real life experience for the individual, one that cannot be achieved through the normal education route. Three of our board members started as work experience candidates at 16 years old, and over 20 years later they’re still with the company. We are proud to be investing in young apprentices now and in the future, and it is great to have been recognised at the awards.”

Eighty per cent of drp’s apprentices have stayed on in employment after completing their schemes and the company is continually taking on apprentices in its range of divisions from digital, to video, to events. Its apprentices were also guests at the event yesterday evening.