Daily Echo | Hampshire Business | Latest news, deals and developments from Southampton and

The British American Tobacco Award for Commitment to Education & Training contenders

A WELL trained and educated workforce is key to the development of any company.

And the region’s firms that are best committed to investing in their staff are being celebrated with British American Tobacco’s Commitment to Education and Training Award.

The judges are looking for companies that demonstrate how their investment has brought success through improved performance as well as fostering a committed, motivated and effective workforce.

BAT has been part of Southampton’s business community for almost 100 years and employs 1,100 staff in Millbrook as part of a 60,000 global workforce.

After ending commercial manufacturing in Southampton in 2006, BAT’s operation in the city now provides a strategic research and development centre along with a wide range of office functions to support its global business.

Discovery Yachts

Discovery Yachts Ltd was founded in 1998 to create the ultimate luxury blue-water cruising yachts designed for two handed sailing.

More than a decade later the company is a thriving business with over 90 employees working from its base in Marchwood, including in-house naval architects, designers and expert craftsmen.

The company is passionate about expanding its craft skills and currently employs 11 apprentices who work within the yard and attend local colleges.

Discovery Yachts produces around 10 exceptional yachts per year with high levels of customisation specific to each owner.

Balfour Beatty Living Places

Balfour Beatty Living Places provides managed services to local authorities and public sector bodies.

From its Southampton base at the council’s new City Depot it offers a comprehensive highways service which includes inspections and asset management advice, design and build, planning, reactive and winter maintenance, major and minor highway improvement, specialist play and leisure surfacing, an emergency response service.

Balfour Beatty has a dedicated delivery team with unparalleled breadth and depth of expertise that provides local knowledge that each project requires and offers innovative and sustainable solutions.

First Wessex

First Wessex is one of Hampshire’s largest housing associations with around 18,500 homes including rented, supported and shared ownership.

It works closely with residents and partner organisations to deliver high quality homes and services to the communities we serve.

Its services extend beyond providing homes. First Wessex helps residents with money advice and offers them support in finding employment.

Residents are also involved in shaping its services and it works with local agencies to improve communities by tackling anti-social behaviour and crime.

Its dedicated 900 employees are instrumental in making it happen.

The De Vere Village Bournemouth

The De Vere Village Bournemouth puts education and training at the centre of its success in providing service excellence to guests.

Excellence is fully integrated in the hotel’s approach to recruitment and staff development through an internal brand called “Village Excellence”, which embeds high levels and product knowledge and service excellence throughout the workforce.

The hotel is one of 26 Village hotels in the De Vere group offering an affordable way to enjoy a luxury British break, combining style, comfort and top facilities.

Free WiFi and flat screen televisions are just a few of the modern touches to be found at the design-led bedrooms at the hotel.