WORCESTERSHIRE apprentices received an inspirational talk from an Olympic swimmer on how to reach the top.

Mark Foster, who was the GB flag-bearer at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, was the motivational speaker at Worcestershire Group Training Association (WGTA) annual apprentice awards at Sixways Stadium, Worcester.

The event is held annually to mark the achievements of some of WGTA’s 300-plus apprentices in engineering, business and administration, customer service, accountancy and warehousing.

The youngsters are employed by companies throughout Worcestershire and the major employers in the area were present together with invited guests, parents and staff.

A number of special awards were handed out to companies including Allen Gears in Pershore; Bosch Thermotechnology in Warndon, Worcester; Sanctuary Group in Castle Street, Worcester; and Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust.

Engineering and commerce apprentices received certificates for apprenticeships at NVQ level 2 and advanced apprenticeships at NVQ levels 3 and 4.

WGTA is financed and controlled by local manufacturing companies and trains talented young people for careers via apprenticeships.

Most training takes place in the workplace but also through day release to its training centres or local colleges of technology.