Unite, the UK's largest union, is to sponsor the Proskills Sector Skills Council Apprentice of the Year Award.

Proskills is the Sector Skills Council covering the printing, papermaking, furniture, extractives, ceramics, glass and building materials.

In 2009 Unite sponsored the Proskills Young Achiever of the Award.


The Award will be presented at the Proskills Conference due to take place on 19 November 2009.

Commenting on the decision, Tony Burke, Unite Assistant General Secretary said: "We are very pleased to be sponsoring the Apprentice of the Year Award. In particular it demonstrates Unite’s commitment to training, Learning & Skills and to young workers. We hope that it will demonstrate to young people that the Trade Union movement is committed to ensuring that young people work in worthwhile and skilled jobs and our relationship with Proskills can only be strengthened by this decision."

(CD/GK)