Buckinghamshire Care Takes Their Place At Apprentice Awards
A social care provider has beaten-off stiff competition from across a range of industries to take their place at the final of the National Apprenticeship Awards.
Buckinghamshire Care – the Local Authority Trading Company for Buckinghamshire County Council – won the ‘Newcomer SME of the Year’ category for the South West, Thames Valley and Solent area last October and will now join a number of high profile companies at the forthcoming national final, including, BT, Lloyds Banking Group, IBM and Highways England.
The awards, which initially received over 1200 entries, are run by the National Apprenticeship Service and recognise excellence in two key areas: Businesses across the UK that grow their own talent with apprentices, and apprentices who have made a significant contribution to their workplaces.
Buckinghamshire Care’s apprenticeship programme specifically employs individuals, usually excluded from the employment market – those with learning disabilities, autism and mental health issues. Apprenticeship opportunities have arisen in a range of different work areas, including, garden maintenance, catering, support work and administration.
Martin Farrow – Managing Director of Buckinghamshire Care – said: “Our organisation was founded on the principle of creating opportunities which make a positive impact, so it is hard to think of a more fitting accolade than this. We are absolutely delighted to have reached the national awards and we look forward to championing the excellent and innovative work our teams are doing across Buckinghamshire Care… “Great things only happen when great people are inspired to make a difference, so I couldn’t be happier for our teams and our clients.”
The company enjoyed further success recently, when it claimed a national Laing Buisson Award for ‘Innovation’, recognising Buckinghamshire Care’s efforts to create paid employment opportunities for adults with disabilities.
The national awards final will take place in Central London on 26 January 2016.
