Partner Article

Mentoring scheme wins regional award

Chester-le-Street housing provider, Cestria Community Housing has won a prestigious accolade at the North East final of the National Apprenticeship Awards 2014.

The organisation, which owns and manages 4,200 homes, won the Newcomer Employer of the Year award category in recognition for its mentoring scheme.

The innovative scheme offers young apprentices working within the business vital professional and personal development through mentoring by existing members of staff.

Cestria won the award at a ceremony organised by the National Apprenticeship Service at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Durham on September 18, 2014.

The organisation will now go on and compete in the National Apprenticeship Awards at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham on the 13 November 2014.

The National Apprenticeship Awards, now in their eleventh year, celebrate the achievements of the country’s most outstanding apprentices and apprenticeship employers.

Paul Fiddaman, Chief Executive of Cestria Community Housing, said: “To be recognised nationally as an employer committed to flying the flag for apprenticeships and having dedicated mentors full of pride for our apprentices and their ongoing development is truly wonderful.

“Our apprentices say they feel valued, listened to, and part of a team, whilst gaining on the job skills. They all agree they have had more opportunities than they ever expected through our apprenticeships and our staff who work with our apprentices have also developed their skills and understanding of young people within the workplace.”

Nick Wilson, Deputy Director Employer & Delivery Services North East, said: “The National Apprenticeship Awards are an excellent platform to recognise and celebrate the dedication shown by all our excellent Apprenticeship employers and apprentices. The quality of entries we have had for the North East awards this year has been exceptional. Those who have won should celebrate their success. But every apprentice and employer who entered can be proud of what they have achieved.

“We want it to become the norm for young people to choose between an Apprenticeship or university as equally prestigious routes to a great career and a secure financial future.

“Apprenticeships continue to grow in popularity, and events like the National Apprenticeship Awards showcase just how beneficial they are for both employers and individuals. I hope everyone who received an award on the night is proud of their achievements, and continues to fly the flag for Apprenticeships throughout their career.”

As well as winning through to the finals the highest scoring Apprenticeship employer entries nationally will have the additional honour of featuring in the acclaimed England’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list, which will be produced by the National Apprenticeship Service in partnership with City & Guilds.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Craig Downs .