HOUSING and care provider Sanctuary Group came away with a double top at Worcestershire Group Training Association Apprenticeship Awards.

The businesses headquartered in Castle Street, Worcester was named employer of the year at the event at Sixways Stadium, while apprentice Rebecca McMann also triumphed by jointly winning the commerce – apprentice of the year level three award.

Miss McMann's success is the latest in a string of accolades scooped by Sanctuary in recent years at the awards, which celebrate vocational training through apprenticeship programmes designed to prepare young people for key jobs in local business. Sanctuary’s national apprenticeship programme has been running for nine years, during which more than 1,300 young people have been supported into work.

Apprentices on the programme work in the group’s operations, such as Sanctuary Housing and Sanctuary Maintenance, studying for qualifications while gaining on-the-job experience. Placements include housing, IT, maintenance, finance, horticulture, business and administration, and health and social care.

Miss McMann completed her level three apprenticeship in business administration last month and now works as an assistant business support officer in the contracts and support team for Sanctuary Supported Living in Worcester.

Nicole Seymour, director – corporate services, said: “As a major local and national employer we are delighted to have been recognised with these coveted awards, which are further evidence of the breadth of training and employment opportunities we offer to young people across the Group.”