Bosses and learners take centre stage at Portsmouth awards night

Just as the government promises more training places for people out of work for more than a year, so Portsmouth businesses who champion work-based training have been honoured with awards.

Catch22 South East Training staged their inaugural awards bash to highlight the success of apprenticeships and other training support in childcare, business administration, health and social care, and sport and recreation. It was great to see such important work celebrated in front of more than 100 guests.

Employers picking up honours included the Co-op, Asda, Farlington Day Nursery and the Portsmouth Marriott Hotel, all of whom spoke about trainees and apprenticeships making a positive difference to the workplace and learning skills for life.

The achievements of young people aged 16-18 seeking to enter employment, college or apprenticeships on a training programme called SET4 Life were also recognised with awards.