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The RAF rewards 28 champions at the RAF100 Apprentice of the Year Awards

Back in January the RAF was awarded the Open University Award for Macro Employer of the Year at the 2017 National Apprenticeship Awards.

This success is in no small part due to recognising their own apprentices through annual awards. In this way, the RAF recognises their best in Service, which encourages the apprentices to achieve their full potential.

“Apprentices have always taken a vital role in our service.  Back in 1920, Lord Trenchard set up the three-year apprentice scheme, providing the backbone of the service through to the 2nd World War, and we have sustained that programme right through to today. The apprentices are as vital to the RAF’s capabilities today as they have been throughout our hundred years of history.”

Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier
Chief of the Air Staff

28 apprentices from 23 trades across the RAF won awards. They were accompanied by their families and dined under the Lancaster bomber at the RAF Museum. Each winner had demonstrated to the judges that they have the attitude to succeed and that the RAF’s training and education has furnished them with the knowledge and the  skills they require to enable today’s RAF now and into the future.

One recipient was SAC James Bowd of the Queen’s Colour Squadron. His mother Sarah said:

“He’s done so well. He’s become a stronger person and more mature in the two years he has been in the RAF. I am so proud of him.”

James’s father Mervyn added:

“What the RAF have to offer young people is tremendous. There is so much variation for them to look at and to go and do. The training is second to none. It is the best.”

In December 2014 and every year since, OFSTED graded RAF Apprenticeship provision as ‘Outstanding’ in all areas and the award of Macro Employer of 2017 is testament to that continuing standard.

“OFSTED not only look at how you do the training and the quality of it but how you look after the people. Developing our people is key to us, we’re a people organisation. The entire being of the military is developing people and is a key element of the future. It’s wonderful to be able to celebrate with the families and to say thank you and well done."

Air Vice-Marshal Warren James