WIREDGOV

The Brathay Apprentice Challenge 2014 is now under way with over 110 teams consisting of over 1000 apprentices entered into the contest to be crowned the apprentice team of the year.

Teams from businesses across the country have signed up for the Challenge, including Boots Opticians, British Airways, HSBC, Nestle, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Virgin Media.

Smaller and medium sized employers are also represented with Bradford Bulls, Norse Commercial Services and Saffron Housing Trust entering the 2014 team of the year search.

Training providers will also be represented in the contest with teams of apprentices enrolled in training at organisations like New College Stamford, Milton Keynes College and Leeds City College expected to take part.

Supported by the National Apprenticeship Service, the Brathay Apprentice Challenge offers an enhanced Apprenticeship, giving apprentices the chance to improve their team building, logistical, leadership and community skills.

Finalists will be announced in April at the House of Commons before going on to compete in further activities prior to the national finals in June 2014.

Matthew Hancock MP, Skills and Enterprise Minister, said: “The breadth and depth of teams signed up for the apprentice team of the year contest demonstrates the diversity of Apprenticeships now on offer – and the commitment of the country’s leading employers to hiring apprentices.

“Hiring apprentices helps businesses of all sizes to grow their own talent by developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce. I look forward to hearing about the contribution the Brathay Apprentice Challenge teams make to their employers and their local communities.”

For more information on the Brathay Apprentice Challenge, visit http://bit.ly/BAC2014