WORCESTERSHIRE Group Training Association (WGTA) works with companies to provide training for workplace competence and qualifications across the county.

Over the years it has ensured hundreds of people have learned a trade and many valuable skills to progress in their chosen careers.

Here are some of the apprentice's stories, and firstly from a firm who works with WGTA:

Stuart Wood – general manager at PumpMaster UK Ltd

WE have worked with HWGTA for some years now. We usually have one or two apprentices at a time employed with us.

Of course there are the obvious financial benefits, but far more important to our business, is the loyalty earned by investing time in our apprentices.

Usually, we like to see our apprentices do both Level 2 and Level 3 business and administration. This allows us two years to build solid working relationships and instill the values we feel are important as a company.

We also find that we learn from our apprentices; they bring new ideas and different outlooks and this is vital so we do not become stagnated.

The energy brought into the workplace helps lift productivity, inspiring others to up their game. With better productivity comes a greater job satisfaction. It follows that if you have a happy workforce, the image projected by the company is that of an efficient working environment, which of course it is.

The apprentices we have had over the years have always stayed with us long beyond the end of their apprenticeship.

We currently have one apprentice about to start Level 3 business and administration and three other members of staff who came through the apprenticeship programme. All four employees hold key roles within the company, one of which is a managerial position.

Beth Addis – Engineering Machining Apprentice (second year)

I AM currently in my second year of my three year machining apprenticeship with Yamazaki Mazak.

After spending my first year at WGTA, I have made huge progress and I hope to carry on achieving in my company throughout my second and third year.

After leaving school with 11 GCSEs, I felt like the apprenticeship route was the best career path for me – gaining qualifications and experience whilst being paid a wage.

The apprenticeship route in engineering requires good attention to detail in both theory and practical work and also a sense of pride in what you do. An apprenticeship with WGTA will help you get into a career that will set you up for life with a way to progress further in your career. There are also opportunities to progress to degree qualifications as well.

I am thoroughly enjoying my apprenticeship and I am keen to work hard. I feel I have a duty to my company to perform to my absolute best. After winning the award for WGTA apprentice of the year 2017, I have kept my motivation to carry on doing well in my apprenticeship adventure.

I would not have been able to achieve this without all the support and guidance from WGTA and my company. If you are thinking about an apprenticeship, I can definitely recommend WGTA and I can honestly say it’s been one of the best decisions of my life so far.

Stephanie Drinkwater – Business Administration Apprentice (Level 3)

I AM an ex-apprentice at JSC Rotational Ltd, a small rotational moulding company in Worcestershire.

I knew I did not want to go to sixth form or college, as I’m more of a “hands-on” person, rather than “sit in a classroom” person.

I was offered a business administration apprenticeship with HWGTA in Worcester. I have now just completed my Level 3 Apprenticeship.

An apprenticeship is more than just a qualification. I gain great networking skills by attending apprentice designed networking events, which has then led me to the West Midlands Young Apprentice Ambassador Network (WMYAAN) - a network set up by the National Apprenticeship Service to inspire the next generation of Apprentices.

This meant I was going into schools and career events to tell people my story and what is on offer for them.

In March 2017 I was elected chairman of WMYAAN which meant that I would have more responsibility and would be the person pushing the network forward.

We set up a new online portal to officially launch the Young Apprentice Ambassador Network. This was a great experience which took me to the National Exhibition Centre to launch the new website in front of Apprenticeship Ambassadors from all over the country.

In the future I look forward to continue to promote apprenticeships and see more schools and students understanding what is out there for them. I look forward to the higher degree apprenticeships coming in as well as growing WMYAAN and joining forces with the other networks.

• WGTA has a record number of apprentice vacancies this year, at many high profile companies and is encouraging people to apply.

Application forms are available to download at hwgta.org.