You are invited to join us at the The Citizens Eye Newsroom, Apex House 74-76 Charles Street Leicester LE1 1FB between 2 pm-3.30 pm TODAY when the NAS Brathay Team of Apprentices will be available for interview – see case studies at the end of this release.

Celebrating young talent in National Apprenticeship Week

(11-15 March 2013)

What is the Brathay Apprentice Challenge?

Now in its second year, the Brathay Apprentice Challenge 2013 is the official search for the Apprentice Team of the year.

What do we have to do?

Between the 4th February and the 31st March the teams of up to nine apprentices must complete the following two tasks as part of the regional heats:

1) Help raise the profile of Apprenticeships

2) Stage a community project

For the last four weeks the NAS Brathay Team of Apprentices have been raising the profile of Apprenticeships by setting up a Face book page (NASBrathayteam13 and twitter account (@NASBAC13#Liveandlearn)

The Team have also produced posters, taken part in job swaps with senior managers, given radio interviews, given talks to year 11 students at schools and colleges and organised awareness raising events. For each part of the activity points are awarded (e.g. 10 points per 100 likes on twitter)

For the second part of the Challenge the NAS Brathay Team is supporting the promotion of The Green Light Festival, an eco event being held at De Montfort University Queen’s Hall on Saturday 16th March 13.

The Team will be holding a Press Conference at 3.00pm in The Newsroom on Friday 15th March where they will use their communication skills to talk about  Apprenticeships, the Challenge and the Green Light Festival.

The pressure will be on to deliver a slick, professional presentation.

The NAS Brathay Team will then be supporting the event on Saturday 16th March as volunteers.

Tracey Waterfield, Team Brathay Coach:

“This is the second year of the challenge and this time it’s harder than ever. There are over 90 teams competing to win a place in the finals which will be held in June at The Brathay Trust, in Cumbria. The NAS Brathay Team is made up of Apprentices that work in offices from all over the UK. It has been a big challenge to get the team together but our weekly tele kits are certainly helping us achieve our goal. I have been hugely impressed with the way each team member has risen to the challenge; they have achieved so much in such a short time. They are all really competitive and want to get through to the finals. The announcement of the successful teams will take place at The House of Commons on April 17th 2013.”

The Team is made up of the following National Apprenticeship Service and Skills Funding Agency Apprentices:

Leah Matthews – Team Leader

Tanzila Bibi

Olivia Hoque

Kyle McGonigle

Jordan Derby

Tom Cooney

Isabella Whale

Samantha Matthews

Rebecca Cave

Read some of their biographies

Hi my name is Leah Matthews I am currently undertaking a Business and Administration Level 3 NVQ with the National Apprenticeship Service in Nottingham. I am the team leader for the Apprentice Brathay Challenge 2013 and am thoroughly enjoying the role. In my spare time I enjoy keeping fit, socialising and shopping. Please help support Team NAS by following us on twitter- @NASBAC13 or liking our Face book page NASBrathayteam13

Jordan Derby - I am an Apprentice currently working in Manchester doing a level 3 business admin.

I work for the Skills Funding Agency in the finance team.

I am an outgoing person and very competitive (A really sore loser).

Banter is a necessity in my life! Playing football and more so Xbox are my main hobbies.

Support the team and help promote Apprenticeships! #liveandlearn

Kyle McGonigle - I am an Apprentice currently working through my Level 3. I work in the Relationship Team for the Skills Funding Agency from the Manchester Office.

I am a very easy going and laid back character that loves a laugh and a joke.

Out of work I play semi-professional football and like to socialise at weekends!

Please support me and my team J #LiveandLearn

Tanzila Bibi - Hi Everyone, I’m an apprentice for the National Apprenticeship Service and based at Leeds Office. I have completed my Level 2 Business and Administration and moved on to Level 3 Business and Administration. I have also just completed my Level 2 Beauty Therapy and Level 3 Nail Technician course outside of work. I’m a fun, loving, caring, open minded and easy going person. I also enjoy going gym in my spare time, spending some quality time with my friends and family and also enjoy doing lots of shopping.

Hi I’m Tom Cooney - I work for the Skills Funding Agency and I am the Manchester Contract Delivery Service apprentice doing my Level 3 Business Administration.

Out side of work I manage a kid’s football team and also enjoy socialising.

My name is Olivia Hoque, I am 18 and I am an Apprentice at the Skills Funding Agency Manchester office. I have been an Apprentice at the Skills Funding Agency for the past 14 months. I currently work as a Business Admin Apprentice in the Relationship Team. I have recently completed my Level 2 Apprenticeship in Business Admin and I have now moved on to my Level 3 Business Admin Apprenticeship.

Please support our team so we can become Apprentice Team of the Year! #LiveandLearn

Support The NAS Brathay Team by following us on twitter- @NASBAC13 or liking our Face book page NASBrathayteam13

-Ends-

Note to editors:

The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) supports, funds and Co-ordinates the delivery of Apprenticeships throughout England.

We are responsible for increasing the number of Apprenticeship opportunities and providing a dedicated, responsive service for both employers and learners

The sixth National Apprenticeship Week will be held 11th – 15th March 2013   with hundreds of activities taking place throughout the UK

The Brathay Trust have organised The Brathay Apprentice Challenge supported by The National Apprenticeship Service

Throughout the Challenge the individual members of each team will need to demonstrate the same work skills that will be required to be successful in and for their organisations and progress their careers. These are the same skills that are valued by employers as the key to their success.

For more information visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk

And www.brathay.org.uk

Issued by:

Tracey Waterfield – NAS Brathay Team Coach

Tel: 07786 118676, Email: tracey.waterfield@apprenticeships.gov.uk

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