Staff at a Foxton car dealership were thrilled to pick up a gong at the East of England National Apprenticeship Awards 2016.

The awards, in their 13th year, are run by the National Apprenticeship Service which recognise firms for their apprentice schemes – and Reed Autos was the winner in the region for the Small Employer of the Year.

The firm’s HR Manager is Charlotte Ingle.

“We are delighted to have won this award and to have been recognised for the work we do with apprenticeships,” she said.

“We truly believe an apprenticeship is beneficial to not only our business but the apprentice, giving qualifications while learning and earning.

“We have had nothing but success with apprentices and we feel this is because we are putting in the time and training, fully committing to the apprentice.

“Thank you to all our team, we couldn’t do what we do without you.”

Sue Husband, Director of the National Apprenticeship Service, said: “The National Apprenticeship Awards enable exceptional apprentices and dedicated employers to receive the recognition they richly deserve. Apprenticeships enable people to gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed – in some cases up to degree level, and for businesses to grow the talent they need.

“Reed Autos has won the Small Employer of the year award for East Anglia and I would like to congratulate them on their achievement.

“Winning this award is greatly deserved.

“There has never been a better time to become an apprentice or employ one.”

To find out more about the National Apprenticeship Awards, go to www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/national-apprenticeship-awards.

For more on Reed Autos go to www.reedautos.com.