We’re celebrating after lifting two trophies at the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Apprenticeship Awards. We won ‘Large Employer of the Year’ and our contact centre Lead Agent Jane Walters was named ‘Mentor of the Year’ at the event.

With 1m apprenticeships across England alone, the awards recognise employers, team members and apprentices excelling across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

Our ‘Large Employer’ entry focused on our longstanding commitment to the already award-winning Aspire Learning EXperience (ALEX) scheme, how we tailor programmes to apprentices’ roles and career plans and the way we support their development.

Jane’s entry described her ‘unwavering commitment’ to those she mentors, how she is valued as a supportive and positive role model and the way she has ‘worked tirelessly’ to coach apprentices through their transition between school and the workplace.

James MacBeth, Auto Windscreens’ Managing Director, said: “We know we have something special at Auto Windscreens. ALEX is a fantastic programme and we have exceptional people working for us – a big well done to Jane, this award is so well deserved!

“Apprentices are very important to our business - they help us meet skills needs, which are rapidly changing due to technological advances. They’re helping safeguard the future of our growing company, as we expand our network of service centres and our technician and contact centre teams. We’re proud to do whatever we can to support and develop them through their career with us”.

Jane said: “I am really proud of winning this award, I was completely stuck for words. It’s immensely rewarding to watch each individual through their apprenticeship journey. I feel very lucky to work with such a great group of people”.