WORCESTERSHIRE Group Training Association (WGTA), the new Centre of Vocational Excellence has been named as one of the best providers of apprenticeships in the country.

The accolade has come from the Adult Learning Inspectorate (ALI). As a result chief executive Philip Round and development manager Jackie Wilmshurst were invited to the launch of the Inspectorate's report in West-minster. The ALI inspection is the training providers' equivalent to the Schools' Ofsted so to achieve the criterion and to achieve inclusion in the 'best' category - they had to get all grades of one or two.

Mr Round said: "This is a very prestigious event and, as we were aware that the bar had been raised significantly since our last Inspection four years ago, it is an incredibly proud moment for me and the staff that we have achieved this accolade."

Anyone who would like to find out more about an apprenticeship though WGTA can visit the open evening at the training centre in Sunnyside Road, Worces-ter, between 5pm and 8pm today.

Alternatively, people can log on to www.wgta.org.uk or telephone 01905 729993.

Recruitment for September 2006 has already begun.