APPRENTICES from QinetiQ have been announced as one of the eight finalists of the Brathay Apprentice Challenge 2014.

After three months of competition between more than 100 teams from the country’s top apprenticeship employers, training providers and colleges in the search for the apprentice team of the year, the finalists were announced at a House of Commons reception this week.

As part of the competition, the apprentice team from QinetiQ organised a community project renovating The Unit, the hub for young people to find out about what is happening in Salisbury.

As well as their community projects, the team conducted nine school visits to talk about the benefits of apprenticeships.

QinetiQ and the other finalists will continue to raise awareness of apprenticeships and conduct fundraising until June 9 when the challenge will culminate in a series of team building, logistical and physical challenges at Brathay Trust’s Windermere headquarters.

The apprentice team of the year will be announced on June 11.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “Apprenticeships are vital to our country’s future.

They build our houses, design our aircraft, programme our computers and make our furniture, among the many other things they do.“ That is why it is so important we celebrate the achievements of hard-working apprentices across the country.

“The finalists of the Brathay Apprentice Challenge have shown they have the energy, enthusiasm and commitment to be the best they can be, but also to give back to build a better future for Britain.

“It is important that we foster and harness that kind of dedication to secure their future and Britain’s longterm success: building a stronger economy and fairer society for this generation and the next.”

Matthew Crew, aeronautical engineering apprentice from QinetiQ, said: “We are really pleased that the judges have put us through to the final and recognised our hard work.

In these past three months we have been able to make a positive impact on our local community while also becoming closer as a team.

“We are looking forward to the final to prove that we are the country’s best apprentice team.”