INVESTMENTS made in training a workforce for the future are paying dividends at York-based Portakabin as the business scooped an award double for its apprenticeship programmes.

The modular building specialist, which is headquartered in Huntington, took two titles at last night's Yorkshire and the Humber regional Apprenticeship awards, organised by the National Apprenticeship Service.

The 50-year-old business, that employs 1,600 people in the UK, Ireland, France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg and Holland, was named overall Large Employer of the Year while employee Martin Kennedy was named Apprenticeship Champion of the Year at the 12th anniversary awards, which were held at the Northern Ballet, in Leeds.

The awards recognise a new stance taken by management at Portakabin Group in 2011 when they decided to reintroduce apprentices after realising they were falling into the category of having an ageing workforce and were struggling to recruit some key skill sets.

By last year the group employed 36, and now has ambitions to recruit more and establish a Portakabin Group Academy.

Sandra Falcus, head of human resources, and learning and development at Portakabin, said: "This award is very important to us, as we have moved from one apprenticeship in 2011 to 51 in 2015; this really shows how far we have come.

"Apprenticeships have opened our eyes to a world of hidden talent; we are engaging with individuals who are keen and eager to learn and this is having a real positive impact on others who work with them.

"We are fully committed to apprenticeships and we are well on our way towards our ambition of establishing a Portakabin Group Academy."

Apprenticeship champion winner Mr Kennedy, who is production and logistics trainer at Portakabin, said: "It is an honour to receive this award for a job I love doing.

"Having reaped the benefits of doing an apprenticeship myself I feel very passionate about passing on my experience and guidance. It is very satisfying to see our young people reach their potential through their apprenticeships."