Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre has been named the Creative Apprentice Employer of the Year 2012 by the National Skills Academy in recognition of its thriving creative apprenticeship scheme, which currently employs four apprentices from Stratford-upon-Avon College Warwickshire.

The award was presented at the National Skills Academy's third Annual Industry Conference, which took place at the Lowry in Salford on the 6 and 7 March and was attended by representatives from the creative and cultural industries and the education sector. The conference saw John Hayes MP, Minister of State for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, celebrate the significant contribution the creative and cultural industries make to the UK's economy.

Chris Thomas, Work Based Learning Co-ordinator at Stratford-upon-Avon College Warwickshire, said “I can add is that the apprentices seem to be thoroughly enjoying their experience at The Belgrade and, in addition, one of the apprentices has just been offered, and she has accepted, a place at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London.”

Stratford-upon-Avon College runs a variety of apprenticeship courses ranging from Catering and Tourism to Engineering and Construction|. If you are interested in or would like more information regarding the apprenticeships on offer at the College, there is an open event being held at the Alcester Road campus on June 13th between 6.30pm and 8pm|.