VIRGIN Media is celebrating after taking home a top prize at the Thames Valley National Apprenticeship Awards 2014.

The company headquartered at Bartley Wood Business Park, in Hook, was awarded the BT Macro Employer of the Year Award at a ceremony, held in Swindon.

Chris Starling, head of apprenticeships at Virgin Media, said: “We’re thrilled to have won the award as it’s recognition that our apprenticeship scheme is one of the best in the country as we will now be in the finals of the National Apprenticeship Awards.

“Our apprenticeship programme has gone from strength to strength with huge demand for opportunities in recent years.

“Virgin Media’s courses offer a superb insight into our business and are an excellent gateway to stimulating and prosperous careers.

Chris said Virgin Media has helped 785 current and graduate apprentices since launching its apprentice programme in 2008, including 30 based in Hook.

The company has been recognised as a top employer by the Government’s National Apprenticeship Service.

“Virgin Media was also one of the first companies to support the Government’s traineeship initiative, with the first trainees now moving onto full apprenticeship courses,” said Chris.

Now in its 11 th year, the awards 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.

Commenting on the National Apprenticeship Awards, Skills Minister Nick Boles said: “Apprenticeships continue to grow in popularity, and events like the National Apprenticeship Awards showcase how beneficial they are to both employers and individuals.

“It is fast becoming the norm for young people to choose between an apprenticeship or university as a route to a great career.”

Paul Lucken, deputy director for the Thames Valley skills funding agency, said: “The National Apprenticeship Awards are an excellent platform to recognise and celebrate the dedication shown by all our excellent apprenticeship employers and apprentices.

“The quality of entries we have had for the Thames Valley awards this year has been exceptional. Those who have won should celebrate their success. But every apprentice and employer who entered can be proud of what they have achieved.

“Apprenticeships are at the heart of the Government’s drive to equip people with the skills employers need to grow and compete.”

He spoke of a newly launched campaign called Get In, Go Far to encourage young people to look at huge range of apprentices available across England,.

“There has never been a better time to become an apprentice,” said Paul.

“They enable people to gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed, in some cases up to degree level, while working and earning.

“Apprenticeships continue to grow in popularity, and events like the National Apprenticeship Awards showcase just how beneficial they are for both employers and individuals. I hope everyone who received an award on the night is proud of their achievements, and continues to fly the flag for Apprenticeships throughout their career.”

All the Thames Valley winners will proceed through to a final national judging stage, and the apprenticeship employer entries judged to be the very best of the best will have the additional honour of featuring in the acclaimed Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list, which will be produced by the National Apprenticeship Service in partnership with City & Guilds.

The Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers and the national award winners will be revealed during the national ceremony at the LG Arena in Birmingham on November 13.