Cheshire East Council's A-Team has cemented its position as the best apprenticeship scheme in the country at the Training Journal (TJ) Awards.
Host and broadcaster Daisy McAndrew told onlookers at the seventh annual awards, held at the Brewery in London on Wednesday, 28th November, that the A-Team had raised the bar and set a new standard in apprenticeships.
Having already won a clutch of awards over the past two years, it triumphed in the face of tough opposition from the likes of Thomas Cook Group PLC, BAM Nuttall Ltd (judged in second) and Manchester marketing agency McCann (judged third).
The awards are designed to inspire excellence and celebrate best practice in learning and development and there were more than 450 industry professionals in attendance.
Councillor Michael Jones, Leader of Cheshire East Council, said: "My sincere congratulations go to the A-Team – what an achievement.
"We always believed we had one of the best apprenticeship schemes in the country, but this has now proved that it is, in fact, the best.
"I am incredibly proud of all our apprentices. They get real 'hands-on' experiences here at Cheshire East Council and are trusted to contribute to major projects, where they are picking up key skills to help their careers."
Councillor Barry Moran, Cabinet member in charge of performance, added: "This is a well deserved result and recognises the excellence of Cheshire East Council's apprenticeship scheme and all the young local people involved.
"My warm congratulations go to all the human resources team. It was a great night and, along with Councillor David Topping, it was a privilege to represent Cheshire East Council at these awards."
The A-Team philosophy is built on Attitude, Teamwork, Energy, Action and Motivation and it currently offers best practice apprenticeship advice to other councils in England, as well as organisations within the private, wider public sector and Cheshire Chamber of Commerce members.
The A-Team will feature alongside all the winners in a special supplement that will be part of the January edition of the Training Journal.
Caption: Sue Malec, A-Team coordinator; Ben Whitter, A-Team leader; Alison Fuller, Professor of Education and Work at University of Southampton; and Amy Rowe, A-Team apprentice of the year 2012 at the TJ Awards ceremony.
