Best in Region

A Stockport GP practice has won a prestigious apprenticeship award hailing it as the best small business in the region.

The National Apprenticeship Service challenged the nation’s top apprenticeship employers to show how apprenticeships have made a real difference to them.

In the Small Business of the Year category for Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Staffordshire region, Alvanley Family Practice fought off tough competition to win.

The practice succeeded after showing how it is growing its own talent with apprenticeships and how their apprentices are making a significant difference to their workplace.

Currently five of the practice’s 12 members of staff are doing apprenticeships. Two of them are older members of staff who wanted to develop new skills whilst the three younger apprentices are just starting careers in the NHS.

Practice Business Manager Kay Keane said: “We are completely overwhelmed to win this award. Investing in the future of our business and the wider NHS is something that we think is vitally important.

“Being able to offer good quality training and development makes us a prime employer and one that can offer something very different to our current staff and young people joining the practice.

“It would have been impossible for us to thrive and grow in the way we have during the last 18 months without our apprentices.”

GP Partner Dr Jaweeda Idoo added: “We’re so proud to have received this award. For a small business to be able to offer such first class training is what enables us to provide the excellent service that we do.

“Our patients benefit from a highly skilled, highly motivated team and our team grows in confidence”

One of the practice’s apprentices Sara Bell said: “I’m the oldest apprentice in Stockport! At least that’s what I tell the new staff or anyone that is worried about undertaking a qualification.

“If I can do it after being out of education longer than they have been alive, then anyone can. Working as an apprentice has given me confidence, new skills and a greater understanding of the job that I do”

The regional winners go through to the national awards with the finalists announced in December and the awards ceremony in January in London.