Incommunities wins top national apprenticeship award | News

The West Yorkshire-based housing group was named ‘Apprentice Large Employer of the Year’ at the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Apprenticeship Awards, held in London last week.

The award was made by BBC Breakfast presenter Steph McGovern to Incommunities’ Director of HR, Susan Laycock and the housing group’s Construction Skills Manager, Tony Thompson.

^{( Photo shows from left to right: Sarah Beale, Chief Executive of CITB, Susan Laycock, Tony Thompson (Incommunities) and BBC presenter Steph McGovern. )}

Incommunities currently trains 33 apprentices in a range of building trades. Over the last 14 years, 135 men and women have completed or are working towards their vocational qualification. Nearly 98% of those trained have become trade professionals within the housing group.

The programme draws people from across communities and under-represented groups. Thirty-three women and BME recruits have successfully completed the programme.

Geraldine Howley, Incommunities Group Chief Executive, said: "This award is a fantastic accolade for everyone involved in the delivery of our apprenticeship programme.

"As an organisation we are keen to invest in apprenticeships and we work closely with schools and training partners including the CITB to attract high calibre recruits and deliver the highest quality training.

"The development of each apprentice is a real team effort involving the professional commitment of mentors, trade teams, managers and our dedicated Construction Training Team.

"As the programme has developed, I am particularly proud to see more females take the apprenticeship route and really grasp the career opportunity it brings."

Sarah Beale, Chief Executive of CITB said: "Huge congratulations to Incommunities, who I had the pleasure of meeting, on their win!

"They are a great example of an employer that’s really developing their skills fit for a modern construction industry and we are proud to support them.

"The industry needs more talented people joining so that they can help meet industry’s skills needs and build a better Britain. There are fantastic opportunities in the sector and employers like Incommunities will be first in line, ready to take full advantage."