A DEFENCE firm is celebrating after being recognised as the best large business apprentices can work for in the region.

Stevenage-based missle manufacturers MBDA saw off hundreds of entrants as they won the Large Employer of the Year Award at the East of England regional heat of the National Apprenticeship Awards.

The company, which employ 1800 staff including 40 apprentices at its base in Six Hills Way, will now represent the region for the National Apprenticeship Awards held on June 29 in London.

Gareth Humphreys, human resources advisor for MBDA, said: “Apprenticeships are a core part of the culture and long-term strategy of MBDA and are helping to develop the next generation of engineers and business leaders. “MBDA is Europe’s leading missile systems company and in the UK currently has 60 apprentices, 60 per cent of them female, and will be recruiting more in the coming year.

“The combination of a university degree or HNC, an NVQ, professional qualifications and four years’ hands-on commercial and technical experience is a rare and highly valuable pathway for MBDA’s trainees.”