Some of the south west’s largest employers of apprentices will be showing they have the hunger to win when they battle it out for a second year in The Apprenticeship Games.

The games pitch companies against each other in a bid to find the region’s ‘Apprentice Team of the Year’, who will be handed a specially designed torch.

Taking place at Duchy College, Stoke Climsland during National Apprenticeship Week 2019, on the March 6, teams will compete in a series of interactive challenges.

Last year Falmouth superyacht company Pendennis was crowned the winner, beating competition from Whyfield, Wales and West Utilities, Ocean Housing Group, Imerys, Eden Project, Cornwall Council, Pall Corporation, Exeter University and Parnall Engineering Advanced.

Gareth Kenward, head of employer engagement at Cornwall College Business (CBB) Training Solutions, which runs the competition, described the inaugural event as “a great success”.

“Apprentices really battled it out to win whilst demonstrated great team work and communications skills,” he continued.

“The games are about different businesses and apprentices representing a wealth of vital sectors for the region’s economy coming together to celebrate the thing they all have in common, an understanding of the value of apprenticeships.”

Apprenticeships are a way for people of all ages to earn while they learn, with opportunities to progress to a degree-level qualification.

“At CCB we see so many apprentices develop into outstanding employees, and this event is a great way for employers and apprentices to showcase the skills they’ve developed along their journey,” Gareth added.

The day includes a networking lunch to give businesses and sponsors the opportunity to engage and share their stories.

As well as the gold, silver and bronze awards up for grabs, the challenges are designed to put the team’s leadership, teamwork and communication skills to the test, with judges rewarding those who have best demonstrated these skills on the day.

Applications for this year’s games are now open to apprentices, line managers of apprentices and anyone who has completed an apprenticeship within the last five years, from any training provider. Teams will be made up of four members and businesses can only enter one team.

To find out more about The Apprenticeship Games 2018 or to register a team visit www.cornwall.ac.uk/apprenticeshipgames , call 0800 731 7594 or email hello@ccbtraining.co.uk.