More employers in the building services engineering (BSE) sector should celebrate the success that apprentices have brought to their companies, said SummitSkills chief executive Keith Marshall as he congratulated electrical company Clarkson Evans for its win in the National Apprenticeship Awards for 2011.
The annual awards, run by the National Apprenticeship Service, celebrate the success of employers and apprentices. Gloucester-based Clarkson Evans won the Medium Employer of the Year award for putting apprentices at the heart of the company, employing around 40 young people a year.

However, of the final shortlists for the eight awards categories, there was just one other BSE sector finalist - apprentice plumber Helen Cort from Nottingham City Homes.

Mr Marshall said: 'Every day, my colleagues and I come across examples of companies where the talents and enthusiasm of apprentices are helping employers to improve services and better meet current and future demand. It is time that the building services engineering sector stepped into the spotlight and gained recognition at events such as these for its excellence. This time next year, we would like to see the achievement of many more of our employers and apprentices on the shortlists or as award winners .'

SummitSkills is in the final stages of its own skills competitions to recognise the talents of up-and-coming building services engineering sector apprentices. The final of the SkillELECTRIC, SkillPLUMB, SkillFRIDGE and SkillPIPE competitions will take place at Leeds College of Building on September 14 to 16. More than 30 of the UK's most talented apprentices will be competing in written and practical tests of their skills and knowledge after making it through the regional heats.