Apprentices undertaking 'environment enhancements'

THE Canal & River Trust apprentices in the Midlands are carrying out 'environment enhancements' on the Staffs & Worcs Canal.

They have shown off their work to Chief Executive Richard Parry as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2022.

'Build the Future'

With a theme of ‘Build the Future’, this year’s National Apprenticeship Week is closely aligned with the trust’s duties of caring for the historic waterways for future generations.

It tells it is committed to apprenticeship schemes and currently has 35 apprentices on board. In addition to environment works, the apprentices are learning the craft of repairing lock gates, carpentry, construction, engineering and team leading skills. A small number are office based, working towards becoming cyber security technicians and producing content.

The canal network has also benefited from the government-funded Kickstart scheme, a programme for young people aged 16-24 who are claiming Universal Credit and are at risk of long-term unemployment, with 22 of the charity’s apprentices coming from the first wave of kickstarters, and the Trust currently has 23 young people on the second wave across the network, with Richard Parry explaining:

Accessible blue spaces

“The waterways are navigated by boats in much the same way as they were 200 years ago, whilst today also playing a crucial role in bringing free, accessible blue spaces to local communities. The skills originally used to construct the canals are still in use today, and it’s great to see our apprentices learning their craft alongside some of our experienced colleagues. There are new skills that keep the waterways flowing too, with apprentices involved in office-based roles as well as on the bank"

He met the apprentices at Bratch Locks and wished them well 'as they help us build a better future for the waterways and preserve this important part of the nation’s heritage'.