NCH up for East Midlands Apprenticeship Award

Nottingham City Homes (NCH) has reached the finals of the Employer of the Year Award for a large business in the East Midlands Apprenticeship Awards 2008.

The company has been selected for its commitment to developing young people through apprenticeships and excellent opportunities for career progression.

NCH works with inner city schools to recruit people for work experience and work placements. Since 2005 it has targeted schools providing vocational qualifications in construction.

It also works with the Positive Action Training and Recruitment Association (PATRA) and African-Caribbean Development Agency (ACDA) to recruit young people from ethnic minority backgrounds for traineeships. The company is committed to taking on at least 12 trainees a year from PATRA/ACDA.

Ian Richardson, learning and development officer at Nottingham City Homes, said:

"We are delighted to be short listed for this award because it recognises our commitment to apprenticeships - and our desire to provide development opportunities within the community and to the construction industry in general."

The awards are organised by the East Midlands branch of the Learning and Skills Council. The winners will be announced at The East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham on Tuesday 20 May 2008 between 6.30 and 10.30pm.