Winners of the East Kent Apprenticeship Awards will be revealed today at a special ceremony in Broadstairs.

Now in its fourth year, the event is organised by marketing agency Pillory Barn alongside college operators the EKC Group.

Those nominated will be vying to be crowned in a number of categories, across a range of sectors.

Winners will be revealed when the awards ceremony takes place at the Yarrow Hotel next door to Broadstairs College.

The 2021 in-person event had to be cancelled due to Covid restrictions with winners revealed virtually instead.

And those involved hope it will shine a spotlight on the role apprenticeships can play in addressing skills shortages in the county.

Gavin Cleary, chief executive officer of the county's inward investment agency, Locate in Kent, which is sponsoring the event alongside Ashford medtech manufacturer ITL, said: “Kent and Medway have great universities and colleges like EKC Group already working closely with the main players in our key sectors.

“That level of collaboration between education providers and industry is vital as demand for a ready-made highly skilled workforce is a key driver to investors looking to relocate their business or expand into Kent.

“Apprenticeships play a key role in addressing the skills shortages and skills gaps and ensuring Kent remains an attractive business location.””

The EKC Group has a large network of employers across east Kent actively engaged in supporting 440 apprentices. It is also working closely with employers like Pfizer and Discovery Park in Sandwich, including a new Skills Hub launched in December 2021 to help upskill staff and develop local talent.