PCC apprentices are regional winners

A team of apprentices from Plymouth City Council took a huge leap towards becoming the Brathay national apprentice team of the year last week.

At the House of Commons, the Council’s team of dynamic young apprentices were announced as one of eight teams (out of an original 47) to make it through to the final.

This would be a huge achievement on its own, but the delighted team were then announced as the regional winners, putting them in the top four.

The other regional winners were, Dale Power Solutions, from the northern region, Team Perfec, from the Central Region and British Airways from London and the South East.

Supported by the National Apprenticeship Service the Brathay Apprentice Challenge consists of a set of team tasks including a community project, raising awareness for apprenticeships and a final showdown at Lake Windermere.

The community project chosen by Plymouth City Council apprentices was the creation of a community orchard in Ernesettle. Since the Orchard was planted the team have continued to develop this project with the addition of a wildflower meadow, a memorial bench and an information panel.

Plymouth City Council Leader Tudor Evans said: “I am extremely proud of this year’s Brathay Challenge team, a fantastic achievement. They fully deserve the praise of the judges and I am sure they will do very well in Windermere for the finals.

“They have left Plymouth and in particular the community of Ernesettle, with a fantastic legacy project, a usable, enjoyable green space, which I know the community are already benefiting from. Well done team!”

The next step in the apprentice challenge is for the team to organize and take part in fundraising for the Brathay Trust and a charity of their choice.

From this point on the Council team will be championing the Epilepsy Society, raising money and awareness for the cause.

Councillor Lowry, ward member for Honiknowle said: “I was really pleased to have been able to support the team through the orchard project. The residents tell me that they are absolutely delighted with the orchard and the hard work of the apprentices. They are 100% behind the team and wish them the best of luck in the final.

Apprentices are really important to the Council and we want to support them through their journey with us and beyond into the careers that they go on to have. The orchard was a very well managed project with a fantastic outcome and I am sure the team will do very well in Windermere.

The team will then be heading to Windermere in July to compete in a range of team building activities, such as orienteering, rowing, mountaineering and pitching their skills against the seven other finalists.

Sue Husband, Director of the National Apprenticeship Service, said:
“The quality of work we see from apprentices increases year on year and it’s great to see so many organisations taking part in the Brathay Apprentice Challenge.

“Apprenticeships are important to both businesses and young people as they allow businesses to grow their own talent and young people to earn while they learn in a real job while gaining a real qualification.”

Jason Holt CBE commented: “All of the teams who took part in the regional heats of this year’s Brathay Apprentice Challenge should be extremely proud of what they have achieved. Not only have they shown their employers what they are capable of, they have shown their communities the good that apprenticeships can do.”