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Ten of the best companies in the county have been recognised in 2006.
Over 500 people from the county’s top businesses gathered at Leeds Castle, Maidstone, to hear ITV's Charlotte Hawkins announce the winners of the 2006 Kent Business Awards.
The Plumbing Academy - winner best new business 2006
This private training college was set up by Steven Edwards last year to meet a soaring demand for plumbers to redefine vocational training.
Working with staff of 25 experts in the field, the academy offers 20-week courses and has the capacity to train up to 320 students a year.
Judges praised the company's hugely impressive classroom facilities and teaching methods. They liked its clear identification of a market need and strategy to "plug the gap"
They also paid tribute to "excellent internal systems and truly impressive team culture which the students share" and the superb focused and involved leadership of Mr Edwards.
The academy has already trained former City workers and other professional who wanted to change direction.
It has teamed up with local plumbing business to offer students on-the-job training one day a week, which often leads to job offers. Recent publicity about a shortage of plumbers and high wages the lucky few can earn has fuelled demand for training.
Mr Edwards says that career changes often find it difficult to enter the industry via the traditional technical college route because of a bias towards school leavers.
"There is a huge need to provide quality plumbing training for career changes of all ages and this is what we are providing he says"
"Our reputation is which I'm thrilled about."