CHESTER-le-Street’s biggest landlord has been recognised for its apprentice mentoring scheme.

Cestria Community Housing, which owns more than 4,000 properties in the area, won the Newcomer Employer of the Year category at the North-East final of the National Apprenticeship Awards 2014.

The scheme offers its young apprentices vital professional and personal development through mentoring by older members of staff.

Cestria won the award at a ceremony held by the National Apprenticeship Service at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Durham 4.

Cestria will now compete in the National Apprenticeship Awards at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham on November 13.

The National Apprenticeship Awards celebrate the achievements of the country’s most outstanding apprentices and apprenticeship employers.

Cestria’s chief Paul Fiddaman said: “To be recognised nationally as an employer committed to flying the flag for apprenticeships and having dedicated mentors full of pride for our apprentices and their ongoing development is truly wonderful.

“Our apprentices say they feel valued, listened to, and part of a team, whilst gaining on the job skills. They all agree they have had more opportunities than they ever expected through our apprenticeships and our staff who work with our apprentices have also developed their skills and understanding of young people within the workplace.”

Nick Wilson, Deputy Director Employer& Delivery Services North East, said: “The National Apprenticeship Awards are an excellent platform to recognise and celebrate the dedication shown by all our excellent Apprenticeship employers and apprentices. The quality of entries we have had for the North- East awards this year has been exceptional. Those who have won should celebrate their success.

“But every apprentice and employer who entered can be proud of what they have achieved. “