GLOUCESTERSHIRE County Council is extending the deadline for its Grow Gloucestershire Showcase Award nominations to Friday, August 1.

In order to attract as many potential winners as possible, the council has decided to extend the deadline for nominations giving more people the chance to enter.

The awards are aimed at businesses, learning providers and young professionals aged between 14 - 24 who have allowed for business in the county area to thrive.

If you know of businesses, learning providers or young professionals who have contributed to the local job market exceeding expectations of their service, then we want to hear from you.

Get in touch with Yes2Jobs or Gloucestershire County Council if:

• You are a business who has witnessed a shining, enthusiastic, resourceful young person undertaking an apprenticeship, internship or work placement

• You are a young individual who has crafted your ability in the workplace through a placement or have showed business innovativeness producing your own business model

• You would like to nominate a Gloucestershire based business for a Grow Gloucestershire Showcase Award because they have helped you develop and enhance your employability skills leading you onto the right career path Individuals and businesses who submit nominations will be short listed by previous winner Sarah Wallace, leader of Gloucestershire County Council Cllr Mark Hawthorne, editor of The Citizen Jenny Eastwood, Lord-Lieutenant of Gloucestershire Dame Janet Trotter and CEO of Versarien Plc Neill Ricketts.

Cllr Mark Hawthorne, said: “I am delighted with the nominations we’ve received so far. It’s fantastic to see that young individuals and businesses in the local area are working so hard with one another.

“To give as many people as possible the chance to enter we have extended our deadline to give many other hopefuls the oportunity to shine. “If you’ve helped young individuals to excel, please do let us know, as this is a night for both hopeful professionals and the businesses that allow Gloucestershire to grow.”

There are eight awards within two categories – one for young people and the other for businesses.

For more details of the categories and how you can enter visit http://yes2jobs.co.uk /showcase2014 The deadline for submissions is now Friday, August 1.