Travis Perkins has been highly commended at the East Midlands final of the National Apprenticeship Awards 2015.

Northampton-based builders’ merchant was highly commended in the BT Award for Macro Employer of the Year.

The Awards, now in their 12th year, are run by the National Apprenticeship Service and recognise excellence in two areas: businesses that grow their own talent with apprentices and apprentices who have made a significant contribution to their workplaces.

On being recognised as highly commended, Darren Evans, head of training at Travis Perkins, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be highly commended in the National Apprenticeship Awards. Apprentices are a key part of our business at Travis Perkins and we are committed to helping to train and develop young people so it’s fantastic to have our work acknowledged. Apprenticeships are particularly important in the construction industry as a way to help address the skills gap, so we’re proud to be doing our bit.”

Sue Husband, director of the National Apprenticeship Service, said: “Apprenticeships deliver for businesses, individuals and the economy. They enable people to gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed, in some cases up to degree level, while working and earning. And for businesses, hiring apprentices is a productive and effective way for them to grow their own talent by developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.

“The National Apprenticeship Awards enable talented apprentices and committed employers to receive the recognition they richly deserve. They not only help celebrate the achievements of apprentices and businesses, allowing them to gain the credit for investing in their own futures, but they drive up quality and encourage others to get involved.

“Travis Perkins has been highly commended in the East Midlands Macro Employer of the Year award and I would like to congratulate them on their achievement. They deserve to be rewarded for their efforts. There has never been a better time to become an apprentice or employ one.”