Our commitment to giving young people a great start in their careers was recognised at the recent Peterborough Telegraph Apprenticeship Awards, where we won the Diversity and Inclusion category.

We were also finalists in the Large Business Category of the awards.

We have a proud heritage of offering apprenticeships across all areas of our business, including care, development and customer services. Nineteen apprentices have successfully completed the programme with us, with five remaining here in full time work. Six new apprentices have been recruited over the summer and will be starting with us this month.

But more than that we also offer pre-apprenticeships, which give young people who need a little extra support, six months paid work experience and support with job hunting skills, enabling them to progress into full apprenticeships, further training or work. Of the 123 pre-apprentices we have employed since 2014, over 80% of them have gone on into work, education or training on completion of their programme, ten of them remaining with us in permanent positions or full apprenticeships.

Our Chief Executive, Claire Higgins, said of the award: “Inspiring the next generation is key to our business, both in our community investment work and the make-up of our workforce. We are exceptionally proud of the achievements of all of our apprentices and pre-apprentices. Many of them have gone on to stay with us and forge strong careers. In fact three of our very first intake of pre-apprenticeships from 2012, remain with us and are really flourishing now, working as an Assistant Development Manager, a Billing Analyst and a Customer Service Adviser – showing that with the right support, the sky really can be the limit.

“As an organisation, we have the privilege of working and delivering services in one of the most diverse cities and regions in the country. Equality, diversity and inclusion is integral to our company ethos and is reflected throughout our activities, including our work with young people. It really is an honour to be recognised for this in these awards, where we were up against so many large, national companies who are based in Peterborough.”

Photographed is Apprentice Estate Ranger, Nicole Edwards, with the Award.