Are you helping to train the workforce of tomorrow? If so, you could be in with a chance of winning a Dorset Echo Industry Award.

We are welcoming applicants for the Best Apprenticeship Employer Award.

This year the category is being sponsored by Weymouth College.

David Watson, Head of Apprenticeships at Weymouth College, said: “In sponsoring the Best Apprenticeship Employer Award, Weymouth College are acknowledging the contribution / commitment employers make to the development and success of apprenticeships in Dorset”.

He added: “Weymouth College knows how important it is for a training provider to work closely with their employer partners – ensuring that together we are developing a skilled workforce that will support both economic growth across Dorset and the success of local businesses now and in the future. Our employer partners actively support the development of their apprentices – by encouraging / supporting their college-based learning activities and providing quality skills development in the workplace. We will continue to work with our current employer partners to develop and deliver apprenticeship opportunities in 2019, we are also happy to work with new employers to establish an apprenticeship partnership.”

Businesses are welcome to nominate themselves. Or, anyone outside a business interested in its impact on the wider community and local economy can enter a nomination in any of the categories.

Once received the nominations will be considered by our judging panel. The judges will be looking to announce the three finalists in each category in the Dorset Echo. All three category finalists, plus one guest each, will be invited to join their category sponsors at the awards ceremony at Weymouth College on Thursday June 13, where the winners will be announced.

The winners of each category will receive £250 of advertising in the Dorset Echo or on dorsetecho.co.uk and will also be featured in the category winners’ coverage in the Dorset Echo and online at dorsetecho.co.uk.

You may know someone who you could nominate for one of our other awards:

Business development or innovative idea

Contribution to tourism

New Business (Started in the past 2 years)

Customer service excellence

Social media engagement

Retailer of the year

Product or service

Food / drink experience

Business leader

How to enter;

Online - Enter online at dorsetecho.co.uk/industryawards

E-mail – E-mail 100-250 words to industryawards@localiq.co.uk with Industry Awards in the subject line. The category, name, address, website, contact name and telephone number must be submitted with each nomination.

Closing date for nominations will be May 6, 2019.

Usual Newsquest competition terms and conditions will apply please visit www.newsquest.co.uk/prize-competition-rules/ for full details. £250 multi-media advertising prize valid for use until December 31 2019.