Two Watford companies have been commended in the Central Eastern National Apprenticeship Awards 2014.

The National Apprenticeship Awards, now in their eleventh year, is run by the National Apprenticeship Service to recognise excellence in two areas, namely businesses that grow their own talent with apprentices and apprentices who have made a significant contribution to their workplaces.

The town's Environment Science Centre, Building Research Establishment, took home the regional newcomer large employer of the year award.

While the hotel group Hilton Worldwide, which has its headquarters in Watford, was also highly commended in the regional newcomer large employer of the year award.

Tara Bishop, resourcing manager for Building Research Establishment, which currently employs 19 apprentices in engineering, IT and finance, said: "Our apprentices have injected new life blood into our organisation at a time when we are driving for significant growth in domestic and overseas markets.

"They are client facing, practical professionals who are great representatives for BRE and contributors to its continued success."

The Building Research Establishment will proceed through to a final national judging stage at the LG Arena in Birmingham on the November 13.

Hertfordshire's other winner was mechanical engineering apprentice Danielle Calvert, 18, from Royston, who scooped the regional learndirect intermediate apprentice of the year award for her commitment to her apprenticeship with MBDA Missile Systems in Stevenage.

Visit apprenticeships.org.uk or call 08000 150 600 to find out more about Apprenticeships.