FIRMS supporting the business stars of tomorrow are to be acknowledged in the Dorset Business Awards.

To recognise companies with the most outstanding and high quality apprenticeship pro-grammes in the county, the Apprenticeship Training Award, sponsored by Superior, is open for entries.

Impressed with the level of entries in 2012, judges will be looking to add another firm to the Dorset Business Awards’ prestigious list of winners.

In association with the Dorset Echo and Daily Echo, the Dorset Business Awards introduced an apprenticeship award to the competition in 2011.

Dorset and Hampshire salon group Scissors scooped the Apprenticeship Training Award last year due to the ‘outstanding learning experience’ its appren-ticeship programme delivers.

Cathy Atkinson of Scissors says: “We strongly believe in growing our own talent and our apprenticeship programme has enabled more than 60 young people to benefit from excellent training within our salons during the last five years.

“We currently employ 23 apprentices and approximately 30 per cent of our current employees started their career as an apprentice at Scissors.

“We were very proud to win the award last year and would encourage any employer to enter because there are so many benefits just associated with entering.”

Jim O’Neil of Wimborne-based Superior, a manufacturer of ‘O’ rings and special mouldings, said: “Apprenticeships provide young people with an invaluable opportunity to develop their skills, giving them the greatest chance of gaining long-term employment.

“It is important to recognise the invaluable opportunities many of our region’s businesses are providing to the entrepreneurs of the future.”

The awards are free to enter. Go to dorsetbusinessawards.co.uk or print off an entry form and submit a paper-based entry. Closing date is September 10.

For details on the awards, sponsorship opportunities or the November gala dinner call Shirley Ewart on 01202 714812.