A STOURPORT firm has been selected as a finalist at a national magazine awards for its training schemes.

Thomas Vale Construction, based in Worcester Road, has been shortlisted for the training initiative of the year category for the 2014 Building Magazine awards, due to be held at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London next Wednesday.

The submission, based on the achievements and successes of the company’s future enterprise board, fought off competition from a record entry.

The future enterprise board is now in its third term. It is managed and run by young people from across Thomas Vale who play a wide role in delivering benefits to the business, while gaining an understanding of the impact different techniques – such as best practice and corporate social responsibility – can have on commercial performance.

Run as a not-for-profit board, all money made is being donated to partner charities and third-sector organisations, including the Trimpley-based Emily Jordan Foundation.

Board chairman Sasha Cotterill said: “Being a member of the future enterprise board has played a critical role in our personal and professional development affording us the opportunity to learn, network and make a difference to both internal and external environments, as well as focussing on strategic areas of business.”

Last year was a successful one for the board, which managed to raise £15,000 for Thomas Vale’s partner charities, support more than 45 business events and secure funding to develop a self-sustaining horticulture initiative called Twigs at Brinton Park in Kidderminster.