AN OSCARS-STYLE awards ceremony for businesses involved in the training of young people will be hosted by Weston College.

The Excellence in Business Training Awards event will recognises partnerships forged between the college and businesses across North Somerset to deliver excellent training provision and jobs for young people.

The awards evening, which will be held on Thursday at DoubleTree by Hilton Cadbury House hotel and spa, in Congresbury, will showcases apprentices and students who have distinguished themselves during training.

Categories include business employer of the year, care learner of the year and social enterprise employer of the Year.

The event will also include guest speaker Graham Turner, chief executive of North Somerset Council, who serves as an apprenticeship ambassador for the National Apprenticeship Service.

Weston College principal, Dr Paul Phillips, said: “This evening recognises and rewards many successes and achievements obtained as a result of investment in training.”

A huge growth in the number of apprenticeships has been seen at Weston College as young people look for alternatives in a tough job market.

Applications went up by 113 per cent at the College in 2011 and interest continues to build this year.