Businesses, training providers and colleges have been urged to enter teams into theofficial search for the apprentice team of the year as nominations open on 13thDecember.
The Brathay Apprentice Challenge (#BAC13), supported by the National Apprenticeship Service, has confirmed that employers including Capgemini, E.ON, Metroline, Persona HR and Sellafield will enter the competition to be crowned apprentice team of the year.
They will be competing against the 2012 winners, aerospace firm Cobham, and runners up MBDA Missile Systems.
Alongside larger employers, the Challenge will also be open to small businesses in 2013 that can form teams based on a supply chain, industry sector or who all use the same training provider or college.
The public relations industry, backed by Pearson in Practice and trade association the PRCA, will be entering a team of PR Higher apprentices from across a range of SMEs.
Now in its second year, the nationwide competition is now open for formal nominations until 1stFebruary, with regional heats taking place throughout February and March 2013.
The top two teams from each of the four regions (North, Central, London & South East, South West) will then battle it out to be crowned the apprentice team of the year with the competition culminating in an adventure challenge at the Brathay Trust’s Windermere headquarters from 10th to 12th June 2013.
For more information and to apply, visithttp://bit.ly/BAC13Launch.
Nick Shipp, team captain of the 2012 winners, Cobham, said:
“Last year was a really tough competition, but every apprentice who took part got a great deal from it. We’re all still really proud of our achievement, not only at the finals in Cumbria, but also in raising £4,000 for the Make A Wish Foundation as part of the competition.”
Gerry Bishop MBE, Employee Development Manager at Cobham, confirmed his company would be defending its title:
“Winning the 2012 event against formidable opposition showed that our apprentices were among the very best in the country. Our apprentices are an integral part of our talent pipeline, the future of our company and indeed the whole industry. We can’t wait to defend our crown in 2013 with a new team.”
Godfrey Owen, Chief Executive of organisers, Brathay Trust, said:
“Through the tasks teams complete as part of the Challenge, apprentices develop as individuals thereby making an even bigger contribution to their employer’s growth. Just by taking part, we aim to provide competitors witha transformative and challenging opportunity to test and develop their mental and work skills against peers from other organisations.”
Jaine Bolton, Chief Operating Officer at the National Apprenticeship Service, said:
“The Challenge not only demonstrates the quality of apprentices and the huge contribution apprentices make to their employer’s success, but is an active demonstration of how proud the country’s employers are in their apprentices. We’re delighted to be supporting the Brathay Apprentice Challenge again in 2013 and I encourage all Apprenticeship employers to look at how they can enter a team.”
For more information on the Brathay Apprentice Challenge and to apply, visithttp://bit.ly/BAC13Launch.
