Royal Challenge for Mail Apprentices

Last year, Royal Mail advanced apprentice engineers took on The Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Gold Award challenge. Royal Mail joins a growing number of UK businesses that have pledged to get behind the Duke of Edinburgh Awards charity to give young people the chance to develop the skills and opportunities they need. For the Gold Award apprentices have to do a physical exercise, learn a skill and volunteer regularly in their community. They also have to take part in an expedition into wild country and go on a residential course.

Employee Development

Companies that take part in the DofE Award have found it speeds up young people’s development, makes them better at their jobs, and develops the skills, attitudes and attributes that employers are crying out for; commitment, communication skills, leadership and teamwork. “This is a new venture for Royal Mail and the programme has been tailored specifically to them,” says James Baker, Head of Central Engineering for Royal Mail. “This will be a valuable extension to their training, as our apprentices will play a vital role in developing and maintaining the company's postal technology for the future.” “At the end of our programme all of our apprentices will have an NVQ and BTEC qualification, be UK Engineering Council Engineering Technician (EngTech) accredited and now will have their Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.”