Wm. Armstrong was named Medium Employer of the Year at the prestigious Learning and Skills Council’s 2005 Apprenticeship Awards on 15^th June celebrating it’s ever increasing commitment to their Young Drivers Training Scheme implemented eighteen months ago.  With a national shortage of around 60,000 HGV drivers, the Wm. Armstrong Group embarked on a Driver Apprenticeship scheme and, therefore, took a pro-active step towards growing it’s business for the future. 

At a ceremony at London’s Park Lane Hilton Hotel, hosted by Olympic Gold Medallists Mathew Pinsent and Gary Herbert, Wm. Armstrong were praised for: ‘Their use of Apprenticeships to rectify a direct skill shortage that could have hindered the expansion of their business.’   The company scooped the award from a list of over 1,000 entrants. 

Managing Director, Jennifer Whyberd said of the accolade: ‘Training and developing our own staff is key to our future success…I am really proud that as a livestock carrier, we have not just survived the Foot and Mouth outbreak – we have actually come through with the business on a stronger footing…we’re so proud to take the trophy back to Cumbria and want to thank all of our apprentices, everyone in the organisation, and System Group, our training provider.'  Wm. Armstrong Group are also nominated for the Training Award at The Motor Transport Awards in London in September.