Royal recognition for Gloucestershire apprentices
Not everyone's failing to invest in young people. The Honourable Company of Gloucestershire Anne Cadbury Apprentice Awards celebrate those businesses that are investing - and reaping the benefits.
Dear reader,
My apologies for the late edition this week.
I was keen to speak to some of the business owners first whose apprentices received awards in the recent Honourable Company of Gloucestershire Anne Cadbury Apprentice Awards, an event that drew royal attention to the county and how we do things here.
When press releases about events involving the royal family go out its press office always gets first look, and you can guarantee those quoted will be the senior figures present. They did help make it all possible, after all.
But it’s the companies that are investing in apprentices, often some of our smallest but most dynamic (the kind without a budget for marketing), as well as the colleges they work with to deliver the training - and the apprentices themselves - who often offer the most valuable insight. Which I think is the case here too.
As you will see from the comments below, despite a push to raise the status of apprenticeships there remains the legacy to overcome left by our determination to make a degree post-school appear to be the only road to glory. And there remains another key challenge too.
Government says its in favour of apprentices and its figures might show numbers are rising, but they also show companies have been using their apprenticeship levy money to train existing staff rather than develop new talent. Investment in training in entry-level positions remains low - across the sectors.
Somewhere in the list of the many reasons we have more than one million young people struggling to find meaningful work is this point. Understanding it seems key to changing the way of things and unblocking not just a route to work and delivering hope but also growth.
Colleges are creating apprenticeship opportunities, young people are queuing up for them but businesses are simply not getting involved in any great numbers.
Some are, and some of the very best of those are listed below. Interestingly, it’s not only the apprentices that are growing. The businesses are too.
Best regards,
Editor | 07956 926061 | LinkedIn: Andrew Merrell | andrew.merrell@raikesjournal.co.uk
Charity of the week…
More than 450 people took part in Longfield Hospice’s vibrant Run the Rainbow event at Frampton Court Estate earlier this month, which involved dodging (or not) clouds of colourful paint and foam to complete the 5k challenge. A lively warm-up was led by Pennie McKenzie, joined by Longfield’s mascot, Cuthbert the Cow, with many staying around post-event to celebrate with live music from D’Artagnan. Longfield Hospice paid tribute to the team of volunteers who made the event possible, including volunteers from local Rotary clubs and members of Stroud Camera Club. Ewa Pawlowska for Longfield Hospice said: “We are incredibly grateful to everyone who took part, volunteered, donated or helped make the day so special.” The efforts of all raised more than £11,000 towards the hospice’s free care and support services, including hospice care in the home and bereavement counselling.
Briefing notes…
🚙🚗🚚 Calls for funding commitment for M5 junction revamp: There are fears much-needed improvements planned for junction 9 of the M5 could be in peril as the Government slashes £700m from its roads fund to boost defence spending. More here.
💷🏗️ Lucozade Ribena factory expansion plans set for approval: Plans to expand and boost the efficiency of the Lucozade and Ribena factory in the Forest of Dean look set for approval. More here.
This weekend…
There are still a few tickets left for this weekend’s Chalfest, a musical gem staged in the Five Valleys. Headlining are Heather Small, Tinchy Stryder, Chesney Hawkes, BBC Radio 1’s Charlie Hedges, Dick & Dom and Discolicious featuring Woody Cook, alongside local favourites Casual 6. Five stages will be packed with entertainment, with 15-plus street food vendors, six bars serving everything from Clavell & Hind beers, Westons Cider and Woodchester Valley wines to handcrafted cocktails from Uncommon Distillery, plus a lively Comedy Tent and the much-loved KidsZone. Due to take place on 16 and 17 of July at France Lynch Pleasure Grounds, Chalford Hill, Stroud. Tickets here.
Spades go in the ground - but will the Golden Valley deliver on its promises?
Work has started on phase one of the much-trumpeted business park and housing scheme planned for land beside GCHQ on the Gloucester side of Cheltenham, the Golden Valley Development.
It’s a project first proposed almost a decade ago when Cheltenham Borough Council went all in, spending £37.5 million to acquire 45 hectares of prime land and began feeding the imagination of everyone and anyone watching with talk of a “Silicon Valley”-style development. It’s since approved a further £95m funding pot.
This, the council said, will be UK Cyber Central, underscoring the county’s growing reputation as a hotbed of all things cyber, highlighting the ecosystem of private businesses clustering in and around Cheltenham as a result of the Government listening post (GCHQ), and driving our economy.
Publicity continues to talk-up the expected economic impact. Apparently The Golden Valley will create 12,000 jobs, help grow Gloucestershire’s tech output to £2.7 billion and generate an additional £151 million in local spend.
Over time the business park became less and less about cyber as economic forces changed the narrative and the ‘tech’ became the preferred term for the proposed 1.25 million square feet of commercial space – for offices, teaching and research areas and hospitality.
The plans also include green spaces, a transport hub and a primary school and 1,000 homes. There has been criticism from some councillors about the ‘dilution of social housing commitments’ as the scheme has moved through planning and just how many of the homes will be affordable. The target was 40 per cent.
At the centre of that park is what the Golden Valley team is now calling an innovation centre (called IDEA), which is the focus of phase one and the transport hub (Router). Apparently IDEA is already 68 per cent reserved and expected to complete in early 2028.
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Royal recognition for Gloucestershire apprentices
Not everyone’s failing to invest in young people. The Honourable Company of Gloucestershire Anne Cadbury Apprentice Awards celebrate those businesses that are investing - and reaping the benefits.
For a nation whose businesses collectively continue to fail invest in young people starting out there is a group of county companies and further education establishments going against the grain, and producing a rich vein of talent and growth.
Determined to showcase the effort and talent and encourage others to see the benefits of investing in young people through apprenticeships is the Honourable Company of Gloucestershire and its annual Anne Cadbury Apprentice Awards.
And when it staged those awards last week at Gloucestershire College it had a rather special ally, with Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal arriving to meet the employers, their apprentices, senior staff and educators from Gloucestershire College, Hartpury College and Gloucester Cathedral.
“As a small company growing rapidly, to have one of our apprentices recognised for his effort is greatly appreciated and makes us feel everything is worth it,” said Gail Sutton, who helps her sons, Phil and Paul, run their growing construction firm Sutton BGL Ltd.
One of the Longlevens-based firm’s apprentices, Cameron Williams, was among those to be singled out as a winner.
“Cameron came to us straight from school, with not much in the way of GCSE results. With this apprenticeship he will gain a qualification where he can learn kinaesthetically.
“To see him learning, coming out of his quiet shell and becoming more confident and a very much valued member of our team, makes us proud.
“Our former apprentices who are still with us and the rest of our team working together to constantly learn and teach others, is what is making our company grow.
“We are a family business run by brothers Phil and Paul. They employ me for office works, their sister Lee-Stacey as a ground works supervisor, and Cameron, their nephew, as their current ground works apprentice.”
Williams is the firm’s sixth apprentice and its fourth with Gloucester College, which works closely with the business to make sure apprentices progress and the company and learner are supported.
“Communication is good, feedback keeps us up to date with what Cameron has completed in college or needs to complete on site.
“The assessors know the industry in which we work, which we feel helps a lot,” said Gail.
She added: “As a company taking on apprentices, we feel that too many industries have lapsed in proper training.
“This has resulted in a massive shortage of fully qualified personnel who actually know what they are doing.
“Taking on apprentices is rewarding. Seeing someone with very few qualifications or little motivation learning new skills, becoming part of a team and actually being paid is great.”
Gulley Electrical’s Wayne Mulhern also walked away a winner. The Barnwood-based business was founded in 2001, is run by Neil and Clare Gulley, has 33 staff and works nationwide.
“We’re really pleased for Wayne. He’s a really lovely guy and works really hard,” said Clare.
“He was a bit older than some apprentices when he came to us, but he knew what he wanted to do and he’s made it work for him and us.
“I think in recent times there has been a lot of emphasis on going to university, but we’re now seeing an increasing number who want to do apprenticeships and see it as a good route.”
In all 19 apprentices from across the county were recognised, the fourth annual cohort to receive prizes and grants from The Honourable Company of Gloucestershire.
The apprentices from Gloucestershire College are training in construction, trades, and engineering, the recipients from Hartpury College are completing agricultural apprenticeship and those from Gloucester Cathedral are training in stonemasonry.
The grants (believed to be in the region of £400) will enable the apprentices to purchase specialist tools and equipment to further develop their skills in bricklaying, electrical installation, carpentry, engineering, agriculture, and stonemasonry and progress their careers.
Gloucestershire College Apprentices
Katherine Adam – Carpentry (Fortem Solutions).
Callum Caster – Bricklaying (Mike Etheridge Construction).
Cameron Williams – Groundworks (Sutton BGL Ltd).
Joseph Harris - Electrical (Lockelec Ltd).
Liam Minter – Electrical (Safran Landing Systems UK Ltd).
Wayne Mulhern – Electrical (Gulley Electrical Ltd).
Preston Pitt – Engineering (Flowtech Fluid Power PLC).
Rayhan Vahed – Electrical (Midatt Ltd)
Mitchell Burton – Carpentry (Highgate Construction)
Noah Morris - Carpentry (K Dobbs Carpentry Ltd).
Hartpury College Agricultural Apprentices
Finley Anderson (R Beard and Son).
Aiden Taylor (Barnhouse Farm, Wholly Gelato).
Bailey Harris (Walton Fields Farming Ltd).
Reuben Alvis (R P Sainsbury and Sons Ltd).
Jesse James Hatten (PJR Farms Ltd).
Amelia Adams (Old Down Estates Country Park).
Gloucester Cathedral Stone Masonry Apprentices
Lucy Newlyn.
Lewis Evans.
Zak Nutting.
Matthew Burgess, Gloucestershire College principal, said: “We are immensely grateful to The Honourable Company of Gloucestershire for its continued commitment to supporting apprentices.
“Gloucestershire has a long-standing reputation for producing exceptional talent across a wide range of industries, and partnerships like this play a vital role in helping the next generation make the best possible start to their careers.”
Claire Whitworth, principal of Hartpury College, said: “Celebrating young talent is vital to building a strong pipeline of skilled professionals who will shape the future of agriculture and the rural sector.”
The Very Reverend Andrew Zihni, Dean of Gloucester, said: “Our stonemasonry apprentices are not only learning an exceptional craft but also contributing to the care of a building that has stood at the heart of Gloucestershire for more than 900 years.
“These grants are a meaningful investment in talented young people whose skills will strengthen our county’s communities, industries and historic places for many years to come.”
Michael Jones Warden, of the Honourable Company of Gloucestershire, said: “I was once an apprentice myself; it gave me an excellent basis on which to build my career and eventually brought me to Gloucestershire, to be responsible for Smiths electronic business.
“I feel apprenticeships are of high value for young people, to not only provide career-based skills but also essential life skills.
“In the short time since this award started, we have been able to help 65 apprentices, our aspiration is to expand the scheme to cover the whole of Gloucestershire.”
Government figures show that while the take-up of apprenticeships has been rising the growth has been in companies investing in existing and often senior staff. Colleges will tell you that the take-up from young people is strong when they offer places too. The challenge is getting companies to create entry-level roles and training routes to work.
Great recognition for apprentices by the Honourable Company-the brainchild of Sir Henry Elwes, former Lord Lieutenant of the county