A pioneering pilot scheme for school-run apprenticeships launched five years ago is going from strength to strength at University Academy, Holbeach.
That’s in spite of the recession hitting many of the one-man-band firms it had relied on to offer employment to trainee plumbers, mechanics and other tradesmen.
The scheme, still one of only three in a UK school, is flexible and numbers of trainees have risen every year with 96 currently in place.
Some train solely in their workplaces and others use sixth form equipment and facilities in the school one day a week.
School work-based learning co-ordinator Tasmin Cunningham said: “In August we teamed up with Lincoln University’s Holbeach campus which has led to opportunities for apprentices in larger food companies.
“Some of our apprentices are mature people who need new qualifications to continue doing their jobs.”