Institution news
UKAEA was victorious following an intense five-month contest against teams from the country’s leading apprentice employers and training providers. The UKAEA apprenticeship scheme is accredited by the Institution.
Natassja Cooper, the Institution's Business Development Executive – EngTech, said: “I had the pleasure of visiting this team at Culham Science Centre and it comes as no surprise that they are the winners of the Brathay Challenge. Winning such a challenge proves that their Institution accredited apprenticeship programme is producing the leading Engineering Technicians of tomorrow, delivered at a high-quality UK standard.”
The Brathay Apprentice Challenge is the search for the apprentice team of the year, supported by the National Apprenticeship Service. In 2016, the Challenge teams visited nearly 400 schools, career fairs and youth groups to discuss apprenticeships, and recruited over 400 new employers to offer apprenticeships as part of the Challenge. The apprentice teams have also reached out to their local communities and delivered 45 community projects to benefit young people.
The Logistical and Teambuilding Finale was held at Brathay Trust’s headquarters in the Lake District for eight teams out of the original 80 entrants. This tested the teams’ individual and group strength, both mentally and physically, and developed their leadership, team building and communication skills.
UKAEA narrowly beat HMRC Digital Newcastle into second place and HSBC who finished third. Teams from Apprenticeships Norfolk Network, Hampshire County Council, HMRC Surge and Rapid Response Team, IBM and QinetiQ also competed in the National Finals.
Nine UKAEA apprentices visited Westminster, where they were congratulated on College Green by John Howell OBE MP; Linda Stone, Client Director of the Brathay Trust; and Sue Husband, Head of the National Apprenticeship Service. The apprentices were then taken on a tour of the House of Commons.
UKAEA Team Leader and Electronic Engineering apprentice David Godden said: “It has been a privilege to be invited to meet with John Howell OBE MP and come to Westminster. We were ecstatic to have won the title of the apprentice team of the year and to have beaten the other 80 teams and 700 apprentices that entered the Challenge.
“The experience that the Brathay Apprentice Challenge has provided us with is one that will stay with us all forever, from volunteering with the Helen and Douglas House Hospice and taking part in a £35,000 fundraising drive, to recruiting employers and educating young people about apprenticeships.
“We hope that winning the title will support our efforts to inspire young people and promote apprenticeships. Hard work, determination and self-confidence are key for success.”
John Howell OBE, MP said: “I am delighted to have welcomed the team to Parliament and to have supported them throughout. They are absolutely brilliant and it was really inspiring that they won the Challenge and are now the apprentice team of the year. I wish them luck for the future and look forward to UKAEA continuing their winning streak in the future years.”
Find out more about the annual Brathay Apprentice Challenge