Leading apprenticeship provider t2 group has been awarded the gold standard Youth Friendly badge in recognition of its support of young people.

The St Mellons-based company received the accolade from Youth Employment UK, a UK-wide campaign dedicated to tackling youth unemployment.

Established in 2012 and supported by a number of Welsh and UK government ministers, including Skills Minister Nick Boles MP, the Youth Friendly badge recognises the work of companies in any industry who are investing in the development of skills and employment opportunities for young people. t2 is one of only eight companies in Wales to be awarded the Youth Friendly badge, and has received the gold standard, the highest level of recognition.

To achieve gold, t2 successfully demonstrated that it met all eight of YEUK’s “Youth Friendly” behaviours, including mentoring and providing work experience, hosting career talks, and providing advice on CV writing. The company also signed YEUK’s Positive Youth Charter, committing to delivering a range of youth engagement activities each year.

The firm is already one of Wales’ leading apprenticeship providers, helping hundreds of young people gain sustainable employment each year. It also provides essential skills training throughout Wales, and runs leadership and management development programmes to help businesses develop.

Dave Marr, director of business development and human resources at t2 group, said: “We are delighted to have received this award and join the growing list of Youth Friendly organisations, particularly as this was the first time we had entered the Youth Friendly scheme.

“According to the latest ONS statistics, unemployment among 18 to 24 year olds in Wales is currently at 16 per cent, which is below the UK average of 18.5 per cent. Unemployment among young people in Wales is also falling faster than across the UK as a whole, decreasing by 4.2 per cent last year, compared to the national average of 1.3 per cent. While this is very positive news for young people in Wales, this still equates to more than 31,000 young people who are not in education, training or in work. We are proud that our efforts to improve these statistics have been recognised, and are committed to continuing to help drive them down.

“To this end, we provide regular career advice talks, help in arranging work experience placements across a range of industries, classes on CV writing and vital interview skills as well as sourcing suitable employment opportunities.

“I look forward to continuing our commitment to supporting young people as they take their first steps into the working population in Wales.”

Laura-Jane Rawlings, CEO of YEUK, said: “We are very pleased to have awarded t2 group with a gold Youth Friendly badge, the highest level that companies can receive.

“Today’s young people are the future managers, directors and leaders of the workforce, and it’s very important to encourage and inspire them from the very start of their careers. t2 is clearly committed to supporting young people in its community and we look forward to working with them as they demonstrate their continued support of young people in employment. t2 are rightly proud to receive this significant accolade.”