Norfolk Motor Group is celebrating a double success in the Kia Motors (UK) Apprentice of the Year Awards ceremony at the Kia Oval.

NMG Kia saw two of its trainees scoop up apprentice awards with Darrell Delaney winning the top honour for light vehicle award for year three while Michael Long was the top apprentice in the new after sales award.

Grant Long, NMG managing director, said: 'I am delighted and very proud that once again two of our workshop staff have received national recognition – two in a line of Kia and Suzuki-recognised NMG awardees.

'Our investment in staff training and development is clearly working and it is a testament to both lads that they have applied themselves and worked to achieve such high standards.

'In addition to this Darrell is one of the national finalists in the Skill Auto competition and we wish him well for the final to be held in Birmingham in November – he is a dedicated employee.'

In addition to their trophies and a fantastic day out at the Kia Oval, Kia awarded the winning apprentices a voucher for tools and NMG gave both their apprentices a cheque for their achievement.

Kevin Charles, apprenticeship programme manager, said: 'All the apprentices have worked hard and shown commitment in the past year.

'It is now being recognised by the dealer network that the apprenticeship programme adds value giving them the Kia ethos and key values to succeed and achieve.'

The Kia Academy Apprenticeship programme was relaunched last year after moving to the new Kia Academy Training Centre in Ruddington, South Nottingham.

Michael Cole, now chief operating officer of Europe, officially opened the Academy in July 2012, with the first week of apprenticeship training started in September 2012. There are currently more than 100 apprentices going through the programme.

The Kia Academy Apprenticeship Programme offers courses which allow apprentices to train in both technical and non-technical domains.It has been designed specifically to develop Kia apprentices to equip them with the highest level of skills and practical ability within the automotive industry.

Before the awards ceremony the apprentices started with a game of Kwik cricket on the pitch at the Kia Oval.