GLAXOSMITHKLINE (GSK) have topped a list of companies which 'change the world'.

The company, which employs more than 300 people at its plant in Ulverston, was praised for its work helping tackle diseases in both the western and developing world.

This list appeared in prestigious American publication Fortune, which has its headquarters in New York City.

In an article written by the magazine's editor Clifton Leaf, GSK was also praised for its sharing of intellectual property, work with malaria and ebola and its partnership with charity Save the Children.

He wrote: "

The company bases its drug pricing on the gross national income per capita of each of the 150 countries where it does business—and in dozens of the least developed nations, it reinvests 20 per cent of those profits in local health care infrastructure and worker training.

He pointed out though that the plc is still very much a successful business

"Yes, GSK makes money - nearly $16bn in total operating profit in 2015 -and its leadership is confident that its strategy of slim margins (on most products in the developing world) and huge and growing sales volume is a winning one."

The praise comes after the company announced it would take on a new batch of apprentices across the UK, including at its site in Ulverston.

The three year programme is aimed at school and college leavers and offers a range of on-the-job training as well as the opportunity to study for a degree.

Joanne O’Flaherty, the company's head of global manufacturing and supply validation said: “Our new apprenticeship programme is an exciting and unique opportunity to be part of an important area of our business.

“Apprentices are GSK’s future global talent and our new programme is specifically developed to provide the training that will ensure our continued understanding and capability in product, quality and patient safety.

Charlotte Tinney, who is in the second year of an apprenticeship at GSK Ulverston, said: “My apprenticeship programme is giving me the chance to do just that - I'm gaining new skills, already gained a globally recognised qualification and I'm now continuing my studies at Gen2 college in Ulverston.

“As part of the apprenticeship programme, I spend three months working in different areas across the business, learning about what we do on site and integrating with many different teams. The team here at Ulverston are fantastic; everyone is so helpful and I couldn’t wish for a better support network."

The deadline for applications for this scheme is Wednesday, August 31.