Apprentices from Derwent Training Association have been named National Finalists in the search for the apprentice team of the year. Derwent Training Association are part of GTA England, a network of independent training and large employer training centres focused on the highest quality engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships.

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 – made up of members from York, Malton and Kirkbymoorside, will be joined in the final by teams from JCB, GlaxoSmithKline, IBM, Nottingham City Homes, Redrow Homes, Severn Trent Water and WSP. Derwent Training Association are the smallest team to make the finals as well as being the only Training Provider.

As part of the Challenge, the Derwent Training Association team of apprentices organised a community project, designing a cricket practice net for Westow cricket team for their junior coaching sessions.

The Derwent Training Association team also conducted 11 visits to schools and youth groups to talk about the benefits of apprenticeships, and hosted four business events to talk to potential employers about offering apprenticeships.

The apprentices teamwork and Community Project outreach activities in the Brathay Apprentice Challenge are very supportive of the development and behaviours in the ‘new’ apprenticeship Standards that DTA are commencing this year.

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, Jordan Layne, a mechanical engineering apprentice from Portakabin in York, said:

“We’re shocked to have made it into the National Finals, we really didn’t expect to make it through when you look at the calibre and size of the other teams.  We’re proud to be representing our area and small businesses in the National Finals.”

For more information on the Brathay Apprentice Challenge and to see a list of all teams entered visit brathay.com/challenge.