Apprentice at Exeter University from IBM with others aiming to be the apprentice team of the Year!
Apprentices from IBM have been named National Finalists in the search for the apprentice team of the year, after being the highest scoring team in the South East.
After four months of hard work by over 650 apprentices from across 75 organisations from 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 Godfrey Owen, Chief Executive of organisers Brathay Trust.
The team from across the South East will be joined in the final by teams from Derwent Training Association, JCB, GlaxoSmithKline, Nottingham City Homes, Redrow Homes, Severn Trent Water and WSP.
As part of the Challenge, the IBM team of apprentices organised a community project involving building a Willow Shelter for Andover Young Carers centre to provide a quiet and private outside area for young people.
The IBM team also conducted 15 visits to schools and youth groups to talk about the benefits of apprenticeships, and hosted three business events to talk to potential employers about offering apprenticeships.
Across the UK, the teams taking part in the Challenge have spread the word about apprenticeships visiting nearly 500 schools and youth groups to talk about the benefits of earning while you learn on an apprenticeship. The teams also hosted over 120 business events to talk to potential employers about offering apprenticeships, recruiting nearly 400 organisations to start hiring apprentices.
The National Finalists will now continue awareness raising activities until early June, when they will be invited to Brathay Trust’s Windermere headquarters for the Logistical and Teambuilding Finale where the apprentice team of the year will be announced on 14th June.
Speaking at the House of Commons National Finalists Announcement, Godfrey Owen, Chief Executive of organisers, Brathay Trust, said: “All of the teams that have taken part have worked really hard and the quality of the portfolios increases year on year.
“The apprentice team of the year finals demonstrate the skills, knowledge and desire to succeed from apprentices; and this continues to inspire others and impress us in equal measure. It is great to see apprentices put in the hard work to get the recognition they deserve, highlighting how apprenticeships benefit not only young people themselves, but their employers and their local community too.
“We look forward to the National Finals and welcoming the teams to Brathay in June for the Finale.”
On getting through to the National Finals, Charlotte Moore from IBM said: "We had a fantastic day at the House of Commons Finalist announcement with all of the other teams. I have had so much fun and have learnt so much being part of the IBM Brathay team. I am so proud of how much awareness-raising we achieved, and the fantastic community project we delivered at Andover Young Carers. I am really looking forward to going to the Brathay Apprentice Challenge finale in June.”
For more information on the Brathay Apprentice Challenge and to see a list of all teams entered visit www.brathay.com/challenge
