Caterpillar trainees compete in battle of the trainees

Apprentices from Caterpillar Peterlee are taking part in the contest to promote the benefit and importance of such schemes and the support they offer to communities.

The Brathay Challenge is backed by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), where teams of apprentices from some of the country’s leading employers and training providers compete to be crowned the Apprentice Team of the Year.

The teams of apprentices have to prove their 
team building, leadership, logistical and communication abilities to win the coveted title.

The groups compete in a series of mental and physical challenges, and each one competes in a series of work-related challenges, which give the apprentices a chance to learn new 
skills and at the same time provide a benefit to communities.

As part of the challenge, the apprentices at Caterpillar Peterlee will take part in fundraising events for two leading charities – Help 
for Heroes and The Children’s Heart Unit Fund (CHUF).

A spokesman for the 
firm said: “This year’s team from Caterpillar Peterlee are energized and eager to start their sponsored assault course run, and charity car wash.

“On a more serious 
note, the team has chosen to work alongside a local food bank to collect and distribute tins of food to help local families struggling to support themselves in a time where food prices are on the rise and there is economic uncertainty.”

In previous years, the 
apprentices from Caterpillar have organised parents’ evenings, apprentice awareness days, supported the Hartlepool College of Further Education apprentice event and organised a careers day for students.

They have also taken part in some community-based initiatives including volunteering to 
carry out some essential maintenance at Howletch Primary School, and floor painting at the Bracken Hill centre for adults with learning disabilities, raising 
more than £3,000 in the process.

This year’s team aims 
to smash last year’s fundraising target.