FIRMS and organisations which have boosted young people’s life chances by recruiting them as apprentices are being encouraged to bid for national recognition.

The National Apprenticeship Awards 2013 recognise both employers and apprentices who have demonstrated the value investing in young people can bring.

It comes as firms supporting Foundation for Jobs have taken on more than 120 young people from Darlington in the past 12 months.

The awards, which close for entries on Friday April 26, demonstrate how apprenticeships cover a whole range of industries, from engineering and manufacturing through to IT and the creative and digital sector.

Since the launch of Foundation for Jobs North-East firms have taken on apprentices in industries as diverse as mechanics, contact centres, joinery, the media, catering, electricians, amongst others, with one youngster even recruited as an apprentice jockey.

Helping and encouraging firms which had never recruited apprentices before was a key aim of Foundation for Jobs the private and public sector campaign to tackle youth unemployment, led by The Northern Echo, Darlington Borough Council and the Darlington Partnership.

This year‘s National Apprenticeship Awards will see an additional award category for the best Apprenticeship Employer Newcomer.

This award will celebrate employers that have recently begun employing apprentices, within the last two years and can show the immediate benefits this has brought to them.

Other catergories recognise small, medium and large firms and individual apprentices.

David Way, Chief Executive of Award organisers, the National Apprenticeship Service, said: “The National Apprenticeship Awards recognise the success of employers in growing their own talent and developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.

“They also recognise the crucial role skills play in helping individuals develop fulfilling careers.

“Entering is a real opportunity for employers and individuals to gain the recognition they richly deserve for building the national skills base.”

The Regional stage finalists will be announced in September 2013 and the National winners will be revealed at an event in Birmingham in November.

Previous winners have received coverage on national TV and shared speaking platforms with Government ministers.

The best employer entries will also feature in the annual Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list, published in partnership with City & Guilds.

To find out more visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk/awards