National honour for joinery firm

AN Oldham joinery firm has scooped a national award for its work in apprentice development.

Adary Joiners, based at the Elk Mill Centre, was named Unilever Small Employer of the Year at the annual National Apprenticeship Awards in London. The contest was entered by 1,200 businesses.

Partners Lucy and Gary Sidlow formed Adary three years ago and have employed four apprentices in that time to build the firm for future growth.

Adary was chosen for its commitment to developing young people through apprenticeships.

Partner Gary Sidlow said: “Our strategy is to build a core team of enthusiastic and skilled joiners, specialists in our field, ensuring the continuity of our business.”

Lucy and Gary set up with just two sub-contracted joiners. To develop the business for the future, Gary and Lucy decided to employ their first apprentice in September 2012, and have since taken on three more.

The ceremony also saw the Oldham firm named in the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer list compiled by the National Apprenticeship Service, sponsored by City & Guilds.