The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) is seeking out Britain's top apprenticeship employers, including those within the dentistry sector. It is encouraging employers of all sizes and from all sectors of industry to enter its sixth annual National Apprenticeship Awards.

The LSC's National Apprenticeship Awards are designed to recognise employers who are successfully using apprenticeships to improve business performance and the key role apprentices play in today's world.

It believes that apprentices have a significant impact which spans the breadth of the economy from accountancy and engineering, to construction, creative industries and sport.

Dinnington Dental Practice – a highly commended small business in the Apprenticeship Awards 2007

Launching the 2009 awards, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, John Denham urged the nation to get behind apprenticeships, commenting, 'Ten years ago only 65,000 people started an apprenticeship. By 2007/08 this number had increased almost three and a half times to 225,000. Apprenticeships are becoming a mainstream option for young people and adults who want to get on, and we hope that by the end of the next decade one in five young people will start an apprenticeship.'

The dentistry sector has enjoyed a successful history at the awards. In 2007, the Sheffield-based Dinnington Dental Practice achieved Highly Commended status in the Small Employer of the Year category.

However, after being unrepresented in the 2008 finals the LSC is calling on the sector to match its previous achievements this year. It says that with 944 new apprentices starting in the sector this year alone, dentistry seems well set for even more success.

Commenting on the business benefits apprentices can deliver, Margaret Naylor, Principal Dentist at The Dinnington Dental Practice said that many of its staff has used their Advanced Apprenticeships as a springboard to further qualifications. 'We have a policy of training apprentices not only for their present job but for their future potential.'

Actress Amanda Holden, who presented the awards last year, with the 2008 National Apprenticeship Award winners

Rachael Hoyle was winner of the Advanced Apprentice of the Year category in the 2008 awards. She commented, 'I liked the fact that I could go and begin a career, learning from people who are experts in their own right.' For further information visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk. The closing date for entries is Friday 27 February 2009.