Celebrating Excellence: Trade Centre Group Wins Prestigious Skills Award for Outstanding Apprenticeship and T Level Programs
Thursday 10th April 2025
March the 7th 2025 the Trade Centre Group were invited to collect the ‘Skills West Midlands & Warwickshire award for the best Apprenticeship & T level Provider’ in the region. for the excellent work the group of managers and wider team at the Wednesbury Preparation Facility do for young aspiring vehicle technicians from the Walsall & Wednesbury community.
The award was given to the Wednesbury team by the Minister of State (Skills) for Education, the Rt HON Jacqueline Smith and the Mayor of West Midlands Richard Parker, at an awards ceremony in Brindley Place, Birmingham.
In 2018, relationships with local colleges were set up by Lee Gorton, Lee Mallin & Peter Holtam to create opportunities for apprentices to join the business in our Mechanical & Autocare teams.
From the initial contact, connections were established and relationships built with Walsall and Sandwell colleges, who both provide apprentices to the preparation facility, however, the relationship with Walsall really progressed since the initial contact and Lee Gorton and his team have been overseeing a successful Apprentice programme along with a thriving T level placement programme running alongside – Over 80 students will do their T-level placements at the Wednesbury facility over the coming months!
This years’ recognition, receiving the prestigious award, is testament to the teams at the Wednesbury facility – who oversee the program and mentor the youngsters. The award is a tribute to their efforts, dedication and commitment to developing and nurturing the students that take part in the scheme.
The Preparation Facility has had over 40 full time apprentices in the Mechanical and Bodyshop departments over the years, with more due to join the teams over the coming weeks and months. Most apprentices go on to full time employment furthering their skills set and careers with us.
On behalf of the Trade Centre Group – Well done to: Robert Griffiths, Lewis Jones, Ciaran Walder, Lee Gorton, Gurinder Sangha, Ryan Saxon, Lee Mallin, Chris Thorp & Krystian Domanski for all your hard work and dedication to the development of the apprentices in the Mechanical Facility and to Mark Arnold and his team in the Paint & Bodywork facility
Comment from Mark Bailey, Chairman and Founder of the Trade Centre UK:
“I am incredibly proud of the Wednesbury team for their outstanding work and dedication to our apprenticeship and T Level programmes. This award is a reflection of their commitment to nurturing the next generation of vehicle technicians. Congratulations to everyone involved!”
