Invitations have been invited from today for the fifth annual Brathay Apprentice Challenge.
Teams of nine apprentices can enter the competition from a single large or small employer, a group of small businesses, an industry sector, supply chain, or training provider.
More than 700 apprentices from 50 teams entered last year. They visited more than 300 school visits to promote the benefits of apprenticeships, recruited over 100 employers to offer apprenticeships, and delivered 47 projects to help their communities.
The eight teams that made the 2015 final in and around Lake Windermere, in the Lake District in July, competed in events including orienteering, coracle boat building, an assembly line puzzle, and a whaler boat race.
Apprentices from Dale Power Solutions (pictured above) and Sellafield Ltd were jointly named 2015 apprentice teams of the year.
Godfrey Owen, chief executive of the Brathay Trust, said: “The challenge provides apprentices with the opportunity to develop a huge range of skills with previous entrants reporting improved teambuilding, leadership, logistical and communications skills.
“Employers reported that they saw improved skills among the apprentices and increased local profile of their organisations through positive PR and CSR opportunities.
“We look forward to both apprentices and employers reaping these benefits in the 2016 search for the apprentice team of the year.”
Sue Husband, director of the National Apprenticeship Service, said: “The quality of work from the teams that take part in the challenge demonstrates the really impressive contribution that apprentices make to both business and the wider community.
“It’s a brilliant opportunity for employers to let their great apprentices shine, so I’d encourage them to put their teams forward and enter today.”
Over the course of the last four years of the competition, 280 teams, involving 2,500 apprentices, have carried out 174 charity projects and have promoted apprenticeships to an estimated 2.5m people, through 12,000 pieces of media and social media.
The other six teams that made last year’s final were from Redrow Homes, Nottingham City Homes, Pera Training, Plymouth City Council, HSBC and British Airways.
After triumphing last July, Adam Sharp, apprentice at Sellafield Ltd, said: “We hope that winning the title will aid in our efforts to inspire young people and promote apprenticeships.
“Hard work, determination and self-confidence are key in success. We also hope that young people can use our journey as a lesson for themselves.”
Visit www.brathay.org.uk/challenge for more information on the Brathay Challenge and to enter a team.
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