The Royal Logistic Corps has won three awards at this year’s Army Apprenticeship Awards which seek to recognise and acknowledge the best apprentices from across the whole of the British Army.
As the UK’s largest employer provider of apprenticeships, the Army has more than 14,000 people on an apprenticeship programme at any one time, with over 6,000 soldiers completing an apprenticeship each year.
The programme has been designed to ensure that the majority of soldiers can gain an apprenticeship that is aligned to their trade and is commonly offered at the start of their career; opening the door to many qualifications to further their career opportunities.
The RLC believes that an apprenticeship is the first building block in a soldier’s ‘Through Life Development’. Apprenticeships recognise and accredit military trade training and the first year in the Armed Forces with an industry-based civilian qualification.
Working in close partnership with the service provider Pearson TQ, the Corps has created a unique, blended learning experience where all direct entry RLC Soldiers are able to complete a trade relevant apprenticeship and functional skills training. At any one time, there are usually around 1,400 RLC soldiers engaged on an apprenticeship, gathering evidence in barracks or deployed on operations.
This year’s ceremony took place at the Officers’ Mess, Government House, Aldershot on Tuesday 7 September 2021. During the event, The RLC was awarded the Employer of the Year Award, presented to the Colonel RLC, Colonel Jon West ADC RLC who was extremely proud of the achievement.
The Corps Colonel commented: “This award would not have been won without the hard work that has been put into transforming the RLC Apprentice programme into what it is today; a programme that is learner-focussed whilst meeting the Corps aspiration to professionalise its soldiers. I pass on my thanks to the whole team for the unwavering support, we would not have secured this recognition without it.”
Major Jay Goodchild RLC was also pleased to receive the Special Recognition Award for his outstanding support to developing the RLC Apprentice Programme. Lt Col Ruth Littlejohns, SO1 Army Apprenticeships, described his contribution as ‘invaluable’.
A further success came from LCpl Graham (3 Medical Regiment (RLC Communications Specialist)) who was the runner up for the Level 3 Intermediate Apprentice of the Year Award.
Though not the overall winners of their categories, three more dedicated RLC soldiers made the final round. Cpl Otchere (13 Air Assault Support Regiment) was nominated for the Apprentice Champion Award, LCpl Williams (17 Port and Maritime Regiment) the Level 3 Advanced Apprentice of the Year Award and Pte Williams (13 Air Assault Support Regiment) the Level 2 Intermediate Apprentice of the Year Award; all fantastic achievements and well-deserved by these inspirational soldiers.
Congratulations to all of the award winners, runners up and nominees who through the apprenticeship scheme are helping to provide a vital pathway to help the Corps maintain its reputation for operational success.
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The Royal Logistic Corps
The Royal Logistic Corps
The Royal Logistic Corps