A COGAN-BASED business has been celebrated for going that extra mile in their commitment to work based learning at an awards ceremony.

The Quality Skills Alliance Annual Awards 2017 was held at Cardiff and Vale College where Arnold Building and Carpentry won the Small Employer of the Year Award.

Arnold Building and Carpentry has worked with Cardiff and Vale College Apprenticeships (CAVCA) for eight years, employing seven apprentices during that time.

Four of them have successfully completed the full apprenticeship framework, while three are currently undertaking their apprenticeship.

Of the four employees who have completed their apprenticeship one has gone on to run his own successful construction business while another, Mark Sadler, continues to work at the company.

In 2015 Mr Sadler won a QSA Award and now mentors and supports current apprentices at ABC.

A current apprentice won a CAVC Annual Award in the Construction Category in late 2016.

Tim Arnold is a hugely supportive employer, giving his apprentices the opportunity to practise and hone their skills with a complete range of tasks and playing an active role in reviewing their progress on site and in college.

Mr Arnold: “I’m delighted to win this award, really pleased. I set up the company nine years ago and since then we’ve put seven apprentices through – it’s good to see them go on to better things. We will always be looking for more apprentices.”

The awards were supported by sponsorship from NDGTA JTL and Safe and Secure Training.

QSA apprenticeships are funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.