A LEIGH firm has been applauded for its part in making the north west the country’s leading region for apprentices.

Regency Glass Ltd first started to encourage its staff to take part in apprenticeships more than a decade ago and in 2013 nearly 60 employees have formal qualifications.

After receiving recognition at the National Apprenticeship Awards, Regency director Wayne Fitzmartin said: “We give all of our employees the opportunity to take part in apprenticeship training when they join us, as we’ve seen a massive benefit to the business.

“The vast majority take up the offer as we allow them to do their training and course work during work hours. They don’t have to give up their spare time and they still get paid.

“We’ve found it helps to create much more rounded employees, so that people think about the whole business rather than just their own particular job. We’ve seen a wide range of improvements from customer care to warehouse management and IT.

“The apprenticeship schemes have created a positive attitude among our employees, proved by the fact we have a really low staff turnover.

Many people have worked for us for several decades.

“We have seen a massive positive knock-on effect on our business as well. We had a record turnover last year and we’re currently working at full capacity.”

And Wayne believes the economy could be on the turn.

“I think there seems to be a bit more optimism. The work’s piling in for new build homes and we’re getting more requests for replacement windows and new conservatories. Things are definitely looking brighter.”

Steve Corcoran, chairman of the Confederation of British Industry in the North West and chief executive of Speedy Hire Plc, said: “After many years of economic challenge, the north west economy is showing visible signs of recovery across a number of its markets.

“While there is still some way to go before we can state that a sustainable recovery is fully in place, investment and employment decisions – including apprenticeship schemes – give a positive and encouraging outlook.”