After three months of hard work between teams from over 50 of the country’s leading apprentice employers, training providers and colleges, the National Finalists of the Brathay Apprentice Challenge were announced at the House of Commons by Sue Husband, Director of the National Apprenticeship Service, which supports the competition.
The National Final takes place at the Brathay Trust in Windermere, Cumbria and the winner will be announced on 15 June. The apprentices from Culham will do battle with the other regional finalists: HSBC (Northern winner); Apprenticeships Norfolk Network (Central winner); and Hampshire County Council (South West winner). They are joined by four additional National Finalists: HMRC Digital Newcastle; HMRC Surge and Rapid Response Team; IBM; and QinetiQ.
As part of the Brathay Challenge, the UK Atomic Energy Authority team of apprentices completed a community project that involved volunteering with the Helen and Douglas House Hospice, including taking part in a Radiothon. The Culham team also conducted twelve visits to schools and youth groups to talk about the benefits of apprenticeships and hosted a business breakfast to speak to potential employers about offering apprenticeships.
All the teams taking part in the Brathay Challenge have spread the word about apprenticeships to employers across England and recruited nearly 300 businesses to start offering apprenticeships. In addition, the teams visited more than 320 schools, career fairs and youth groups to encourage young people to consider apprenticeships.
The eight National Finalists will now compete to put on more awareness-raising activities until the final in mid-June.
Skills Minister Nick Boles said:
Congratulations to all the teams for being such effective apprenticeship ambassadors. This Challenge is a way for apprentices to demonstrate the skills they have gained and the incredible things you can achieve while learning in the workplace. I look forward to the next and final stage of the Brathay Apprentice Challenge 2016.
David Godden, who is leading the team of apprentices from the UK Atomic Energy Authority, said:
We are really pleased that the judges have put us through to the National Final and recognised our hard work. In these past three months we have been able to make a positive impact on our local community while also becoming closer as a team. We are looking forward to the opportunity to prove that we have the country’s best apprentice team.
More information on the Brathay Apprentice Challenge