A BOLTON-based group of security companies has received recognition for the training it provides its staff.

ExcluSec Group Ltd were presented with the Employer of the Year Award by the Mayor of Bolton, Cllr Elaine Sherrington, and received praise from judges for the investment the company makes in its staff through training and development.

The award was the first of two collected on the night by the group's managing director, James Bancroft.

He said: "It feels amazing to win this award.

"This is the third year we have entered the awards and this is the best one yet.

"The food was fantastic, the atmosphere has been great, and so has the entertainment. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that we can retain this award next year.”

ExcluSec Group Ltd is an approved training provider with Highfield Awarding Body of Compliance.

Each new employee at the firm has an induction programme with all staff enrolled on to a large variety of vital courses.

The minimum courses include Project Griffin Counter Terrorism Awareness, Level 1 Award in Health & Safety, Level 1 Award in Manual Handling, Level 2 Award in Customer Service, Level 2 Award in Emergency First-Aid at Work and Level 2 Award in Basic Life Support & Automated External Defibrillation.

The senior management team and supervisors also undertake additional training including NVQ Level 2 Team Leadership and Level 3 Award in Health and Safety.

Despite not receiving any funding, ExcluSec spends £500 per employee on training as its managers say they believe in the importance of training and upskilling the workforce in order to be the best they can be.

Group quality and compliance officer, Michele Khan, added: “We believe that our people are at the forefront of our company.

"We invest heavily in staff welfare and well-being and appreciate that without our staff, The ExcluSec Group Ltd would not exist."

FULL COVERAGE - read the winners' stories

Editor's award - John Carr 

Business of the year - Darts Corner

Businessperson of the year - James Bancroft 

Apprentice of the year - Ellie Entwistle

Employer of the year - ExcluSec 

Manufacturer of the year - Pure Fabs 

Retailer of the year - Market Place 

Family business of the year - HCS 

Innovation award - Bolton College

Customer excellence award- Market Place

Not for profit - Bolton Young Person's  Housing Scheme 

Community award - Bolton Family 

SME business of the year - Handrail creations 

Start up of the year - A Year of Dates