GEN II apprentices and staff have just completed their '10,000 challenge' to support the Prostate Cancer charity as part of the National Prostate Cancer Awareness month.

Each year 10,000 men in the UK die from prostate cancer so to remember those who have died, help those currently suffering and to raise awareness of prostate cancer GEN II apprentices and staff held their own '10,000 challenge'.  The challenge was to run or walk 10,000 metres (just over 6 miles) by completing 5 circuits of Curwen Park in Workington.  Around forty apprentices, staff and friends took part in the challenge which took place on Sunday 25^th March.

First to complete the challenge was Ryan Mann, who is in his first year Electrical and Instrumentation apprenticeship based in ENERGUS.  Prizes were awarded for first place, and best fancy dress.

Christina Clark, GEN II's Quality Manager, who organised the event said "each year we support the GEN II apprentices to take part in a number of charity events and this year the apprentices were keen to support the Prostate Cancer charity.  We completed the challenge not only to raise money for the charity but also to raise awareness amongst our apprentices and staff.  Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men and we hope that by completing our challenge we can help raise the profile and donate money to help save mens' lives through research, support and information." 

To find out more about the Prostate Cancer Charity visit:  www.prostate-cancer.org.uk

GEN II Activities for National Apprenticeship Week

In support of National Apprenticeship Week for 2012, GEN II are running a number of activities designed to involve apprentices, staff, employers and stakeholders.

The activities taking place are:

Job Swaps – Several large and small employers have agreed to ‘swap jobs’ allowing the apprentices to shadow them for the day and then in turn the employers becoming an apprentice.

Community Projects – A number of community projects across the county have been identified which will allow the apprentices to put their newly developed skills to the test for the good of the community.

Engineering Challenge – Teams of apprentices from each GEN II Training centre are being set an engineering project to design a can crusher within a set budget which will be judged on Friday 10th February by the GEN II Exec, Local MPs and representatives from Thomas Grahams who are sponsoring the prizes.

Apprentice Employer Certificates – Every current GEN II employer will be presented with a certificate of recognition as a valued GEN II employer who is providing job opportunities for local people.

“Where they are now” Case Studies – A series of case studies are to be developed for both GEN II and non-GEN II people who set off life as an apprentice and highlight what has happened through their working careers. The case studies will include those who have remained in their chosen trades and those who have gone on to manage organisations.

Site Tours – The apprentices will be given the opportunity to visit various partner/customer sites to tour the facilities and gain first hand experience of what each organisation produces or processes and the trades and disciplines within each organisation.

GEN II Activities for National Apprenticeship Week

Other Activities:

• Presentation of Apprentice Employer Certificates
• Job Swaps with Tata Steel, James Walker, Innovia Films and GEN II members of staff
• Community Projects – St James Church in Whitehaven, Beckermet Parish Council etc.

On Friday 19th August the GEN II apprentices based in the ENERGUS centre held a charity event to raise money for the ShelterBox appeal.

ShelterBox is an international disaster relief charity that delivers emergency shelter, warmth and dignity to people affected by disaster worldwide.  The boxes contain many emergency items from tents and blankets to cooking equipment and tools.  ShelterBox was founded by a Rotarian in Cornwall and since its conception thousands of boxes have been issued following major disasters such as the Indian Ocean Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina in the USA.

The charity event was suggested by Pat O’Kane who is an active member of the West Lakeland Rotary club.  Many activities took place during the day including a Barbeque, raffle, welly throwing competition, sponge ‘n’ instructor and tug ‘o’ war competition. The event raised an impressive £503, which will be matched by GEN II.

The day was a great success and thanks go to all training staff, apprentices and Management for their support. Special thanks also go to Tommy Akitt, Dave Armstrong, Emma Hanley, Aysha Basset, Natalie Scott, Charlotte Bibby and the Canteen Staff for all their help in organising the event.

For more information on ShelterBox visit http://www.shelterbox.org/