The Brathay Apprentice Challenge will see the teams compete against each other in a series of challenges designed to test young people’s business acumen, team working, problem solving and physical endurance.

The aim of the challenge is to showcase the talent and success of the nation’s apprentices, by demonstrating what they can offer to employers and their local communities.

Jez Anderson from the Brathay Trust said: “The search for the apprentice team of the year will not only demonstrate the formidable skills of the nation’s apprentices, but demonstrate the range of careers available to apprentices.”

The teams, which include apprentices from Bentley, the Co-operative, Virgin Media, the National Apprenticeship Service, Rolls-Royce, Balfour Beatty, defence manufacturers MBDA and aerospace firm Cobham, will be joined by a team of apprentices from the GB Junior Rowing Team Potentials.

This team is supported by Junior World Champion Finalist Jack Beaumont, who is proud to be supporting the Brathay Apprentice Challenge.

“Many athletes who are representing our country, at the highest level, have completed SkillsActive’s Advanced Apprenticeship in Sporting Excellence and so we know first hand the positive impact apprenticeships have not just on those who take them but on wider society,” said Beaumont.

During the two-month contest, the teams will face challenges designed to test their team working skills, as well as their ability to raise money for a variety of charities and promote awareness of apprenticeship schemes.

The challenge will end with a full day contest at Brathay’s Cumbrian training headquarters on the 16th March, resulting in the teams’ final test, a 10-mile whaler boat race across Lake Windermere.

Jaine Bolton, Director of the National Apprenticeship Service, welcomed the launch of the challenge.

She said: “We know that one of the main reasons employers offer Apprenticeships is to build skills capacity in their businesses and this Challenge will bring to life the benefits apprentices bring to employers.”

Sarah Jeffery

Click below view a video on the Brathay 'Apprentice of the Year' challenge: