More than 150 apprentices from across Staffordshire gathered at the County Showground in Stafford on Tuesday 14 July to celebrate the successful completion of their apprenticeships.
The annual Staffordshire Apprenticeship Graduation Ceremony brought together apprentices, employers and training providers to recognise achievements across a wide range of sectors and highlight the role apprenticeships play in developing the county's workforce.
What apprentices said
Leanne Walker, who completed a Children, Young People and Families Practitioner Level 4 Apprenticeship with a Distinction, said the qualification was one of her proudest achievements at 44 years of age.
"For me, an apprenticeship is the best way to gain a qualification because you're learning while doing the job every day," she said. "Everything is fresh in your mind, and you're already familiar with what you're writing about and discussing during professional discussions."
Holly Clark, a graduating apprentice in veterinary nursing, described how an apprenticeship changed her career direction after completing a degree in Criminology at Birmingham City University.
"Being able to work while studying meant I was learning practical skills from day one," she said. "Looking back, deciding to do an apprenticeship completely changed the direction of my career."
Council celebrates milestone
Robin Hall, Cabinet Member for Economy and Skills at Staffordshire County Council, spoke at the ceremony and highlighted the long-term impact of the apprenticeship programme.
"Since the graduation ceremonies first began in 2015, more than 1,200 apprentices have taken part," he said. "I want to congratulate every graduate on reaching this important milestone and thank the employers and training providers who continue to invest in developing local talent across Staffordshire."