A TEAM of apprentices from the largest social housing provider in Wyre Forest have been put forward to contest a national apprentice challenge.

The Community Housing Group, based at Foley Business Park in Kidderminster, is among 80 teams from across the country to be taking part in the regional heats of the Brathay Apprentice Challenge.

Nine apprentices from the group will aim to prove that they have the best team building, logistical, leadership and community skills needed to claim the title of the apprentice team of the year.

Apprentices from the group will be going up against some of the largest employers in the country, with teams representing HSBC, Ford Motor Company, British Airways and Microsoft also signed up.

Godfrey Owen, chief executive of Brathay Trust, said: “It is always great to see the huge range of organisations registering to take part in the challenge.

“We wish all of the teams luck in the regional heats and look forward to hearing about their activities.”

Following the heats, the top eight teams from across the country will go forward to the national finals, with the winners being revealed at Brathay Trust’s Windermere headquarters on July 8.

Sue Husband, director at the Skills Funding Agency, said: “The skills that the apprentices learn not only benefit themselves, but also their organisations by creating a workforce that has excellent team building, logistical and communications abilities.”

For more information visit brathay.org.uk/challenge