13/02/2025
Flagship scoops Best Large Employer award at Norfolk Apprenticeship Awards
L-R Flagship director of people and culture Lisa Collen, environmental & sustainability manager Victoria Kruger, head of employee experience Anna Tanner, and head of group Academy Nadine Tapp, all posing with their awards and certificates at the Norfolk Apprenticeship Awards
Flagship Group has scooped a top honour at the Norfolk Apprenticeship Awards for the third time.
The east of England housing provider was named Best Large Employer (250+ employees) for its outstanding apprenticeship programme at the awards, which were held at Carrow Road on Wednesday.
Nadine Tapp, head of Flagship Group's Academy, said it was an honour to be recognised for what has been a transformative effort to make the programme what it is today.
She said: “It’s been a real labour of love to see the programme grow and grow, and we’re delighted to be recognised as large employer of the year again.
“This really showcases our passion and commitment to apprenticeships across the Group. We’re also incredibly grateful to our training providers for their support, and of course to our apprentices and mentors for their diligent work.”
Flagship won the same award in 2022 and 2023.
Flagship’s apprenticeship programme is based on strong ties with local training providers. This includes regionally unique partnerships with West Suffolk College, Suffolk New College and City College Norwich, to develop talent pipelines to directly addresses industry skills shortages.
The organisation also currently has over 100 apprentices on programme in roles across its different business areas, with a course achievement rate of 78% - 23% higher than the national average.
The group celebrated wins in two other categories, with environmental & sustainability manager Victoria Kruger winning in the Contribution to Green Apprenticeships category, and head of employee experience Anna Tanner taking home Degree Level Apprentice of the Year. Ms Tapp also received Highly Commended in the Impact Award category.
Ms Tanner’s win is on the back of a Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship through the University of East Anglia, which nominated her based on developed leadership skills and application of academic learning into meaningful impact on Flagship as a workplace.
She said: “I’m incredibly honoured to receive this award. Completing the apprenticeship alongside my role at Flagship has been a transformative experience.
“Balancing study with work was challenging at times, but the support from Flagship, the UEA, and my cohort made all the difference, and this kind of recognition is definitely the cherry on the cake.”
Meanwhile, Ms Kruger’s win comes as a result of her implementation of a number of sustainability initiatives across Flagship, carried out alongside her Level 7 Sustainability Business Specialist course completed through specialist postgraduate institute Cranfield University.
For more information about Flagship’s apprenticeship programme, visit flagship-group.co.uk/careers/apprenticeships.