A TRAINING administration apprentice from Kidderminster has seized a top award at the National Apprenticeship Services Awards.

To qualify for the awards, Kathleen Sandford, 20, learning and development administrator at the Community Housing Group, had to win the West Midlands regional award in November 2015 and then beat off stiff competition from 11 other regional finalists to achieve National Intermediate Apprentice of the Year.

Earlier in the year, Kathleen attended a celebration event at Downing Street with David Cameron to recognise the value of apprenticeships.

She said: “I decided to go down the apprenticeship route because I wanted to start a career where I could learn on the job.

“I never thought that eventually it would lead to me winning a national award and visiting No.10.

“I feel very fortunate to have such an opportunity.”

Marina Banner, executive director of Vestia Community Trust and TCHG, said: “We are extremely proud of Kathleen’s achievement.

“She is an inspiration to our existing apprentices and we hope this will encourage other young people to consider apprenticeships for their future career path.

“We really value apprenticeships. Apprentices bring ideas, enthusiasm and determination and we believe that they make a positive contribution towards the future growth and development of our organisation.”

In addition, the Community Housing Group has been recognised as one of the UK’s Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers, for the third year running.