CHIPPENHAM company John Williams Heating Services has picked up the Apprenticeship Employer of the Year award at the 2014 Wiltshire Business Awards.

The firm, which has provided heating and boiler services for over 25 years, is well known as domestic, landlord and letting agency heating and plumbing specialists, using highly qualified and experienced engineers.

Based in Bumpers Way on Bumper's Farm Industrial Estate, the company held off strong competition from Marlborough training provider Haddon Training and Swindon-based contact outsourcer Carpeo for the prize.

The judges for the award, which was sponsored by Wiltshire College, said: "The level of committment and belief held of the apprenticeship brand by JW Heating and Plumbing Services is evident in the fact that one of the owners is now an Apprenticeship Ambassador for the National Apprenticeship service."

The services provided by the company include all types of boiler servicing, repair and replacement, new central heating systems, powerflushing and descaling, solar heating installations and renewable energy installations.

After receing the award, Debbie Williams, who runs the company with husband John, said: "It is amazing for us to win this award as it recognises the amount of work we have put in to apprenticeships.

"John started off his career as an apprentice and we always new that at some point we would start taking on apprentices. We believe it is important to grow your own apprentices at it helps them understand your brand and the ethos of your business."

The 2014 Wiltshire Business Awards, which took place at Center Parcs Longleat, featured six other categories, including Business Person of the Year, Customer & Staff Care, Environmental, Medium Sized Enterprise of the Year, Services to the Community, and Small Business of the Year.

Winners in each category gained automatic entry into the night’s most prestigious award – the Overall Excellence Award – which is being sponsored by Thrings, a long-time partner of the event.

For more information on John Williams Heating Services, visit www.jwheating.co.uk