Spirit Pub Company has won the Best Apprenticeship Programme at the Training Journal Awards for its Team Leader Development Programme.

The award, which is the fourth for the company’s Apprenticeship Scheme in the last two years, is recognition for the “outstanding learning and development practices that are being implemented”.

 The scheme was launched two years ago to complement the company’s five existing apprentice schemes. More than 700 candidates have taken part in the initiative since its launch.

Sue Burton, apprenticeship manager for Spirit, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be crowned winners. To be considered alongside such great learning and development experts that are well established is an achievement in itself. In just over four years we have developed a comprehensive award winning apprenticeship programme and we are extremely proud to be recognised for our efforts so far.”