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Durham business shortlisted for top employer award

A County Durham business is celebrating after being shortlisted for Small Employer of the Year at the Learning and Skills Council’s (LSC) regional awards.

William Strikes Limited, a Hartlepool-based plant nursery, is in the running to pick up the title at the Celebration of Learning and Skills awards 2008 (COLAS) next month. The business was put forward for the award by training provider Springboard Hartlepool, which works with Strikes to deliver training and development opportunities for its staff.

Lawrence Sharratt, project officer for horticulture at Springboard, said: “We are delighted that this particular company has been recognised for the work it does in providing training and development opportunities for its staff. Strikes has worked with Springboard for more than three years to deliver work-based learning for its employees.

“Strikes has also provided work placement opportunities for our learners who are studying on the Foundation Modern Apprenticeship in Amenity Horticulture, helping them to gain valuable experience and giving them a great boost to their confidence.”

Strikes nursery has teamed up with Springboard to create a Train to Gain programme which enables all employees to work towards a nationally recognised qualification. The company, which began in 1887, is currently working towards training all staff up to NVQ Level 3 in Amenity horticulture. The Small Employer of the Year award is one of 12 that will be given out at the COLAS awards, which will be attended by 1200 people. Other categories include Outstanding Achiever of the Year, Apprentice of the Year and Lifetime Achiever.

Strikes’ manager, Jenny Kitching, said: “Being chosen as a finalist for Small Employer of the Year is fantastic. We couldn’t have achieved this without the support and expertise of Springboard Hartlepool. “We are committed to providing the very best in training and development for our workforce and we are thrilled that our efforts have been acknowledged.”

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