Congratulations to Liebherr

The awards, now in their twelfth 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.

The company was chosen as the winner in recognition of its commitment to developing young people through apprenticeships.

Skills Minister Nick Boles said: "Congratulations to Liebherr GB Ltd for your success at the National Apprenticeship Awards. Apprenticeships truly are set to be one of the great success stories of the decade, and Liebherr GB Ltd is a worthy ambassador. We are committed to 3 million apprenticeships by 2020 so that even more businesses can follow Liebherr GB Ltd’s lead and reap the benefits of apprenticeships."

Employment Minister Priti Patel said: "I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to Liebherr GB for their fantastic achievement in being named the BAE Systems Large Employer of the Year. Apprenticeships offer a fantastic way for many young people of all backgrounds to earn as they learn while providing employers with the transferable skills needed to take their business from strength to strength. We currently have record-breaking levels of employment – and this is boosted by prospects like apprenticeships. I want to see this continue.

"By working closely with businesses and taking steps like rolling out our ‘Jobcentre Plus Support for Schools’ programme to teach pupils about work experience, apprenticeships and traineeships, we are helping to create an even more flexible and resilient labour market for the future."

Liebherr GB Ltd is an integral part of the British and Irish construction, mining, materials handling, cranes, plant hire, waste management and associated industries, playing a leading role in providing these markets with state-of-the-art equipment and quality after-sales support from a network of well-established service centres.

The company employs 322 people and its commitment to customers, products and services means it relies heavily on its staff and the need to nurture and develop current, as well as future talent with necessary knowledge, skills and attributes.

The company is currently committed to 48 apprentices, which equates to approximately 16.1% of the workforce and an 11% increase in numbers on this time last year. All full time apprentices are engaged on four year programmes to enable development at the correct pace for the business and themselves on a personal level.

These vary from Welder/Fabricators/Mechanical Engineers, Construction Plant Engineers, Vehicle Paint/Bodyshop, Machine Sales, Logistics, IT and Business Studies/Administration apprentices. The company has upheld retention of apprentices and continue with 100% taking full time roles with three going into senior roles as first line managers.

On accepting the award, Lee Mason, Apprentice Programme Manager, said: "Productivity has increased, customer service has improved with current, trained and qualified staff with the right attitudes and skills assisting in increasing our customer base by 15 percent. Apprentices have suggested new ideas and presented to the board. These were implemented with an efficiency and cost savings of £124,000. The apprenticeship programme has also assisted in LGB winning two major contracts, providing evidence of future product support through trained personnel.

"We are continually expanding and apprenticeships are now an integral part of the strategy, identifying enthusiastic individuals that can be developed from the ground up and are real assets to the company, bringing productivity, motivation and cost efficiencies."