Pictured from left to right: Emma Brewer Coordinator The Apprentice Academy, Callum Bowden Apprentice, Richard Jemison Apprentice, The Rt. Hon Esther McVey MP Tatton, Jade Whittleworth Apprentice, Maddy Cass Apprentice, Emma Entwistle Organisational Development & Communications Manager

Following the creation of a range of Apprenticeship opportunities throughout 2018 with local partner The Apprentice Academy, we invited local MP Esther McVey to come and find out more about the new government standard Apprenticeships as part of the ‘Blaze a Trail’ themed week for the 12th annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW2019). The week long national event was aimed at challenging the outdated views many people still have about apprenticeships.

Having recently been recognised as one of the Top 75 North West Companies to work for, we have plans to create further Apprenticeship opportunities throughout 2019. To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, the opportunity was taken to showcase the work of their current Apprentices and share their experiences to the local MP, who is passionate about education and creating learning opportunities that provide valuable skills development for young people across the borough.

The visit highlighted the benefits of apprenticeships for S&G Response as an employer and also the value that the in depth training they have provided to the Apprentices, which has so far developed useful skills and knowledge to support their studies of Business Administration Level 3 and Finance AAT Level 3.

Andy Whatmough, Managing Director of S&G Response said, “The business has continued to achieve our growth targets over the last year and with our further ambition to grow throughout 2019 we truly recognise the importance Apprenticeships play. We were very clear and specific on what we could offer to potential apprentices and how we would create a continuous learning environment, with the added benefit of understanding our industry, our business and their future career path with S&G Response. National Apprenticeship Week is a great opportunity to recognise that having Apprentices within the business is truly valuable and enhances the diversity of our workforce bringing new perspectives, skills, values and experiences.”

MP, Esther McVey said, “It was great to visit S&G Response and to talk to some of their Apprentices about the work and study they were doing but also to learn more about what made them decide an apprenticeship was right for them. They were all extremely impressive and all talked about their desire to start work now and study alongside rather than waiting to graduate in 3 years time with no practical experience.”