TWO Andover firms have been named among an elite list of UK employers.

The British Army and Be Wiser Insurance have both secured a place in the country’s top 100 apprenticeship employers.

The prestigious Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers list, compiled annually by the National Apprenticeship Service in partnership with City and Guilds, recognises excellence in businesses that employ apprentices.

Deputy Prime Minster Nick Clegg was on hand to announce the list at the National Apprenticeship Awards, which took place during The Skills Show in Birmingham last week.

Mr Clegg said: “The Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers have clearly demonstrated how apprenticeships have a major part to play in building great businesses.

“I would encourage more businesses across England to follow these shining examples and find out how apprenticeships can help them build a skilled, motivated and highly qualified workforce.

“For the Top 100 Apprentice Employers recognised in 2014, their great achievement clearly outlines why apprenticeships deliver the skills that young people and the economy need.

Brigadier Gary Morris, director of educational capability at the Army said: “The Army is fully committed to its apprenticeship programme – the largest in the UK.

“It is a core part of our recruitment offer and the essential first step on our top class whole life development process.

“We believe that our apprentices become better soldiers, better qualified and better people.”

Kelly Scalan, Be Wiser apprenticeship programme manager, said: “We are excited and thrilled that in just 14 months of starting work with apprentices that BeWiser has been named one of the Top 100 Apprentice Employers in the UK.”