NORTH-EAST employer Banks Mining's commitment to providing its apprentices with the best possible preparation for their working lives has been recognised in a major national awards initiative.
The longstanding firm has been named Employer Of The Year in the Apprenticeship Skills Awards run by Ixion Holdings, a not-for-profit group of companies that provides apprenticeship advice, guidance, development and training across the UK.
The award was presented to The Banks Group's HR director Louise Lightfoot and training co-ordinator Lewis Cowey at a special celebration event at the Grade One-listed Boreham House in Essex.
Ixion Holdings, which is a subsidiary of major UK employment and skills charity The Shaw Trust Group, worked with The Banks Group on the creation of a bespoke plant operating apprenticeship programme at Banks' Shotton and Brenkley Lane surface mines near Cramlington in Northumberland.
Jacqueline Oughton, managing director at Ixion Holdings, said: " I am very proud that Ixion Holding Ltd has supported The Banks Group resulting in increased benefits to their organisation.”
Around 120 people work at the Shotton site, alongside a further 50 at Brenkley Lane.
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