Member Article

Housing company crowned regional winner in 2007 Edge Awards

North East company Gentoo were announced as the regional winner of the Edge Awards 2007 at the start of the month, winning a prize of £10,000 for further investment into training and development of young people. Gentoo will now go through to the national finals to be held in November.

Edge is an independent foundation dedicated to raising the desirability and status of vocational and practical learning among 14-25 year olds of all levels of ability. Gentoo, a business which provides homes and customer service, began in Sunderland in 2001 when the City’s tenants voted to transfer 36,000 homes to Gentoo. Since then, Gentoo have invested £400 million back into their neighbourhoods.

Andy Powell, CEO of Edge said, “Edge is delighted to award this prize to Gentoo. The company has shown that it is creating some valuable experiences for younger people in the North East and has shown that hands-on learning is good for employers and employees alike. This is a great example of the good work we want to praise and reward.”

The Edge Awards rewards organisations that provide outstanding learning opportunities for 14-25 year-olds and is also rewarding individuals for their learning achievements. This year Edge is awarding over £300,000 to employers that provide quality apprenticeships, excellent work placements and other practical learning opportunities.

Peter Walls, Gentoo Group Chief Executive said: “We are absolutely delighted to have won such a prestigious award. Social investment is very high on our agenda at Gentoo, and we are pleased that this award has recognised our wide range of responsive programmes that aim to build truly sustainable communities in our neighbourhoods.”

Gentoo will be attending the awards ceremony held in London on November 22 to discover whether it has become a national winner.

More information is available at www.edgeawards.co.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .