Stockport based Damar Training, a specialist provider of apprenticeship training, has been named Learning Provider of the Year at Greater Manchester’s Skills for Business Awards.
Above: Managing Dircetor Jonathan Bourne and the winning Damar team
The Skills for Business Awards are organised by the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network and Greater Manchester Apprenticeship Hub and celebrate the outstanding contribution that skills and learning make to businesses across Greater Manchester.
Specialising in delivering apprenticeships in business skills, with a particular focus on the legal and professional sectors, Damar works with organisations across the North West. It also works nationally with legal services sector where it has led the way in developing the new legal apprenticeship pathway.
Announcing Damar’s win, the judges commented:
“Damar Training have been able to display to the judges the dramatic difference that they make to the businesses they work with, through the excellent and rigorous training provided.”
The judges noted, in particular, Damar’s work with Costa Coffee franchise holder Sim Trava, where apprenticeships have helped the business grow from four stores to 21. Also highlighted was the partnership with Greater Manchester Police, the largest police apprenticeship programme in the country, with more than 100 apprentices and growing. Leading law firm Weightmans was one of a number of employers who praised the value of their partnership with Damar.
Jonathan Bourne, managing director of Damar Training, said:
“I am immensely proud of my colleagues at Damar. They work tirelessly to support employers and their apprentices and I am delighted that the judges have recognised the work that we are doing.
“Winning the award is a huge honour. Greater Manchester has a very strong network of skills providers and to be chosen as the region’s leading provider is a very proud moment – for me, the team at Damar and also all the fantastic, supportive employers and apprentices who work so hard every day.
“Success also challenges us to make further progress. Apprenticeships are already wonderful way of developing talent but we believe they can be better still. I want Damar to continue to grow and support many thousands more young people so that they can achieve great things for themselves and their employers.”
In addition to Damar’s win, three of its partner employers, accountancy firm Bennett Verby, Clarity Travel Management and Sim Trava were shortlisted for awards out of over 200 entrants.
The awards were held at the Point at Lancashire County Cricket Club, and attracted an audience of over 500 for the second annual event.
For more information, visit www.damartraining.com