A TEAM from South Worcestershire College, which has campuses in Malvern and Evesham has reached the finals of a national apprentices competition. The college been named as one of eight on the shortlist of the Brathay Apprentice Challenge 2014, having beaten all other entries from Central England during the regional heats. The Challenge attracted more than 100 teams from the country’s top apprenticeship employers, training providers and colleges and the final eight were announced at a House of Commons reception by Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

As part of the competition South Worcestershire College organised a community project, refurbishing the entrance and reception to a local youth centre, while highlighting to young people visiting the centre that an apprenticeship is an opportunity to move forward in education and training. Apprentice Bethany Holloway, who was part of the South Worcestershire team, said: "We are really pleased that the judges have put us through to the final and recognised our hard work. In these past three months we have be able to make a positive impact to our local community while also becoming closer as a team. We are looking forward to the final to prove that South Worcestershire College has the country’s best apprentice team.”

As well as their community projects the team also conducted eight school visits to talk about the benefits of Apprenticeships – giving young people the chance to earn while they learn in a real job gaining a real qualification and a real future. Mr Clegg said: “Apprenticeships are vital to our country’s future. They build our houses, design our aircraft, programme our computers and make our furniture, among the many other things they do. That is why it is so important that we celebrate the achievements of hard-working apprentices across the country. The finalists of the Brathay Apprentice Challenge have shown they have the energy, enthusiasm and commitment to be the best they can be, but also to give back to build a better future for Britain. It is important that we foster and harness that kind of dedication to secure their future and Britain’s long term success: building a stronger economy and fairer society for this generation and the next.”

In the final stage of the Challenge in June, South Worcestershire College will face competition from the likes of British Airways, Virgin Media and Pepsi.

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