GavinThompson published Three companies vying for small business prize at Bristol and…

The Helm Construction team are hoping for another night of awards success at the Bristol and Bath Apprenticeship Awards next month

A building company, an IT firm and a solar panels and roofing specialist will go head to head to be crowned the best small employer for apprenticeships.

Helm Construction, Westgate IT and Paul O'Brien Roofing are all finalists in the Bristol and Bath Apprenticeship Awards in association with South Gloucestershire and Stroud College (SGS).

All three believe that to succeed in business they need to invest in the future by training the next generation of skilled workers.

Gary Sheppard, chief executive of Helm Construction, based in Aust, South Gloucestershire, said: "We have stuck by our training and development programme through thick and thin and this has really paid off both in terms of the quality of staff we have retained and also our ability to sidestep the labour shortages which plagued the construction industry once we began to emerge from the downturn.

"Helm Construction thrives on telling young people you're hired rather than you're fired. We recognised the recovery would begin in the construction sector and were determined to ensure we were fully prepared to meet the steep increase in demand.

"We believe in breaking down the traditional career progressions, ensuring that further training is available for all employees regardless of background and age. We are aiming to build the skills we have within the company all at levels, formalising qualifications and encouraging employees on to specially targeted career paths."

The firm has had success in the awards before, last year apprentice Sam Dix was a finalist in the construction category.

But competition for the small business prize will be tough.

Ashton-based Paul'OBrien Roofing, Building and Solar has been providing apprenticeships through City of Bristol College for several years.

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GavinThompson published Three companies vying for small business prize at Bristol and...