The Council has received the 2023 Princess Royal Training Award at a ceremony hosted by the Princess Royal at St James’ Palace in London on Thursday 23 November, being recognised as one of the best organisations in the country for training and skills.
As one of only 53 organisations across the United Kingdom and Ireland to receive a Princess Royal Training Award for 2023, Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council is the only council this year to receive this award.
The same award was achieved in 2019, and the Council has once again joined the list along with some of the country’s largest companies and smaller not-for-profit organisations.
The awards, established by the Princess Royal, scrutinises organisations to find the very best at training staff and developing skills to provide excellent career opportunities.
They honour organisations ‘showing exceptional commitment to learning and development’.
The judges were impressed by the Council’s programmes such as the apprenticeships and the paid work experience programme and their record in ensuring everyone involved has a great chance of getting a job.
They said:
“Since achieving an Award in 2019, this council has expanded its apprenticeship provision using it as a key means of meeting workforce and business needs whilst fully utilising the apprenticeship levy. The Council exceeds its annual target of 2.3% staff completing apprenticeships year-on-year and 50% of apprentices gained employment at the Council after completing their training in 2021-22.”
Leader of the Council, Cllr Alec Brown, said:
“It is an honour to receive such a prestigious award and a delight that our apprenticeship and work experience programmes have received the national reignition they very much deserve. This has all been possible due to the invaluable effort and dedication shown by the staff members running these programmes and I would like to thank them for going the extra mile every day to help other people improve their skills, gain essential work experience and advancing in their chosen career paths.”
Those looking for a bright start or a change in their career, who would like to gain a nationally recognised qualification whilst learning hands on skills and getting paid, can have a look at the Council’s apprenticeship programme and available vacancies at Apprenticeships | Redcar and Cleveland (redcar-cleveland.gov.uk)