Greene King, the Bury St Edmunds-based pubs and brewing group, and Emma Calver, an apprentice with BT in Ipswich, are among the finalists in the 2013 National Apprenticeship Awards.

They were among the winners in the regional round of the contest in September and have now been named among just 27 companies and individuals selected for the national final.

The results will be announced during The Skills Show at the NEC in Birmingham on Thursday, November 14.

The awards, run by the National Apprenticeship Service, recognise excellence among businesses that grow their own talent with apprentices and apprentices who have made a significant contribution to their workplaces.

Greene King is in the running to be crowned the national Macro Employer of the Year and Emma Calver, 29, an IT technician apprentice with BT could land the national Higher Apprentice of the Year award.

The Skills Show, which has City & Guilds and Edge Foundation as its premier sponsors, is the nation’s largest skills and careers event and is helping to shape the future of a new generation. The show provides hands-on experiences that inspire young people to explore further education, skills and apprenticeships.

Skills and Enterprise Minister Matthew Hancock, the MP for West Suffolk, said: “The finalists in the National Apprenticeship Awards demonstrate how Apprenticeships deliver for employers, young people, adults and the economy.

“They represent the very best of employers and apprentices in this country and set a hugely positive example for other individuals and organisations to follow.”

Karen Woodward from the National Apprenticeship Service, added: “An apprenticeship is a way for young people and adult learners to earn while they learn in a real job, gaining a real qualification and a real future and it is only the nation’s top apprentices, who through hard work and determination, have made outstanding contributions in their workplaces, that get this far.

“Meanwhile, hiring apprentices helps businesses to grow their own talent by developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce and it is only those employers who put Apprenticeships right at the heart of their organisation that make it through to this stage.

“All our finalists should be very proud of their achievements and we wish them all every success for November 14.”