East Midlands-based Prestige Fleet Servicing has been recognised for its efforts in creating apprenticeships for young people wanting to enter the fleet industry.

The company received the Employer Apprenticeship Award from Leicester College for creating four apprenticeships at its Melton Mowbray head office in the past 18 months, and taking three of the apprentices on to its full-time staff.

The first three apprentices joined the company in January 2015 and, having completed their training, have now been employed full time, two as customer service advisors and the other as an accounts assistant.

The one remaining apprentice, who joined the company earlier this year, is also likely to be offered a full-time role as a customer service advisor, once the training is completed.

Nick Hutton, operations director at Prestige, who has been responsible for the running of the apprenticeship scheme, said: “We take the provision of apprenticeships very seriously in our company, and see it as an excellent way of bringing in new young talent, typically school-leavers, and training them to a satisfactory level so that they are able to play a meaningful role in the business.

“The customer service advisors have a key role of liaising with both our fleet and leasing customers, providing support in a number of areas such as customer care, vehicle technical support, cost validation, and measuring service levels.

"Our accounts assistant, meanwhile, helps the company accountant in the preparation of monthly accounts, payroll and other accounting functions."

Colin Bate, managing director of Prestige, added: “Naturally, we are delighted to receive this recognition for our efforts in creating apprenticeships within the business, which we see as an integral part of the company development plan.”