AN apprentice from the Sanctuary Group is celebrating after picking up two prestigious awards.

It was double delight for finance apprentice Ben Hyde, who was named the overall Worcestershire Apprentice of the Year as well as scooping the Intermediate Level Apprentice of the Year title at the Worcestershire Apprenticeship Awards.

There was further success for Sanctuary Group employees at the event, with Faisal Zaib winning the Apprentice Ambassador of the Year award.

Sanctuary's national apprenticeship programme has been running for 10 years, supporting almost 1,400 young people into work during that time.

Apprentices work in the group’s operations, studying for qualifications whilst gaining valuable on-the-job experience. Placements include finance, IT, housing, business and administration, horticulture and health and social care.

Ben, 19, said: “I attended the awards ceremony last year and saw other Sanctuary apprentices picking up awards, which was a real inspiration to me.

“The Sanctuary apprenticeship programme has been a great opportunity to build skills and experiences and I am very grateful for the support I have received.”

Nicole Seymour, director – corporate services, said: “The success that Ben and Faisal have achieved is richly deserved and a fitting reflection of their hard work and dedication to their apprenticeship programmes.

“As a major local and national employer we are committed to helping new talent develop and succeed.

"Our apprenticeship scheme is a key part of that commitment and has such a positive impact on both our business and young people’s careers.”