Rochdale Training’s Apprentice Employer, A&F Sprinklers is celebrating having won Apprentice Employer of the Year at this year's Rochdale Business Awards. The Awards were established in 2011 to celebrate and recognise the success and achievements of local businesses and business people within Rochdale.

A&F Sprinklers design, install, and service & maintain automatic fire sprinkler systems nationwide, we operate from Rochdale and provide services 7 days a week, 365 days a year. They partner with a wide range of customers from individual businesses to large corporate enterprises such as Amazon, the Ministry of Defence, Clipper, and many more. Their team is a total of 142 ranging from trainees, designers, project managers, support, and engineers.

Luke Heywood, Previous Apprentice said, “My Apprenticeship course was a 2-year course in Performing Engineering Operations, this Apprenticeship course gained me a full level 2 Apprenticeship qualification, overall the support I have received from Rochdale Training and A&F Sprinklers is fantastic and inspires me to achieve more, keep learning, and develop each day. I couldn’t be more thankful for the company.”

All A&F Apprentices are guided through their development plan process whereby A&F maps their development, progression, and learning, not only through their qualification but includes in-house specific training, & and industry training. Apprentices are given the mantra of ‘every day is a school day’ whereby A&F inspires them to continue and keep learning which is assessed through their round table events.

Dan Clayton, HR Manager from A&F Sprinklers said, “To say we are humbled and proud is an understatement. I genuinely don't think there are many words for the pride we feel at the moment. Just to be nominated was a milestone, then to be a finalist was another but to win Apprentice Employer of the Year, is a massive achievement for the team here. But, everything we do cannot and will not have been achieved and continue to be achieved without the fantastic and second-to-none support from you and everyone at RTA.”

Nathan Finn, Recruitment Officer at Rochdale Training said, “I’ve been working with Dan & A&F Sprinklers for several years, and it’s a pleasure to see their hard work and dedication to Apprenticeships being highlighted.  Congratulations to the whole team at A&F. A&F Sprinklers recruit several Apprentices every year and I would certainly recommend candidates to apply for opportunities when they become available”.

Interested in applying for Apprenticeships? Look through our current apprenticeship vacancies – https://www.rochdaletraining.co.uk/apprenticeships or contact our Recruitment Team now at 01706 631 417 or recruitment@rochdaletraining.co.uk

Harvey started with Rochdale Training on the Future Apprenticeship Foundation in February 2023.

The course supported him in getting ready for an Apprenticeship while allowing him to gain valuable work experience in a sector he’s interested in, while also improving his employability skills, English and Maths.

Harvey developed his skills and confidence after a short period and started his work placement with Rochdale Council in the Work and Skills team. His placement employer, Amanda Huntbach from Rochdale Council said “Harvey is a wonderful young man and has a bright future ahead of him. He is always on time, normally early, very reliable and able to follow instructions and undertake tasks with little supervision. He has excellent computer skills, is organised, and can prioritise. He looks very professional and comes across in a polite and professional manner.”

Harvey said “It was a brilliant course. The experience confirmed this was the sector for me and I was eager to apply for administration positions after my work placement. The support from the tutors and the staff is outstanding, everyone at Rochdale Training creates a safe and friendly environment, and I am comfortable here. I have now progressed on to a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship with Rochdale Training and work as a Technical Support Officer in the Revenue and Benefits department of Rochdale Borough Council.

Being on the Future Apprenticeship Foundation not only allowed me to develop workplace skills but also life skills. I would recommend this course to others who need support and struggling to figure out what to do in life.”

Habiba Khatoon, Work Experience Co-Ordinator from Rochdale Council said “We are pleased we have been able to accommodate the work placement. Harvey was able to spend time working within our organisation before applying for an Apprenticeship role with us. Congratulations Harvey!”

Are you feeling lost and need some help like Harvey? We can help with start dates in January 2024 in both Rochdale and Bury! For more information about our Future Apprenticeship Foundation and Apprenticeships please contact Nathan Finn on 01706 631417 or nfinn@rochdaletraining.co.uk.

Rochdale Training Apprentice, Ellie Burke is celebrating having won Apprentice of the Year at this year's Rochdale Business Awards.

The Awards were established in 2011 to celebrate and recognise the success and achievements of local businesses and business people within Rochdale.

Ellie works at Gateway Leisure supporting people with learning disabilities and now making positive changes to young adults with mental and physical health needs.

Rochdale Training, tutor, Roxanne Sharpe said “Ellie is one of the best Apprentices I have ever met. Ellie has been on a tough journey over the previous 12 months and was introduced to us by the Youth Hub having completed a 12-week course with the Princes Trust team in Rochdale. She has been determined to progress and focused on the future and a career path to help others in the health and social sector. Ellie is the future of this business and sector.

Ellie is progressing rapidly through the Health and Social Care Apprenticeship and is often ahead of her peers, meeting deadlines and producing high-quality assignments for her Apprenticeship. She attends all off-the-job training and records and measures her performance against the key criteria of the apprenticeship. She has remained consistently inquisitive and is not afraid to challenge something or make suggestions to improve something.”

Project Co-ordinator at Gateway Leisure, Lisa Stockton said “Ellie has 100% attendance and punctuality. She represents Gateway well whilst out in the community. She has recently helped to engage service users to participate in some new and ongoing activities – which is doing well. Ellie's confidence has grown a lot in the months she has been with us. She uses her own initiative, helping with tasks i.e., assisting service users with PEG feeds, and helping support people with transport. Ellie is always keen to learn new things, more confident, and willing to take on additional tasks. Ellie is getting on with the online training and does not need reminding to do so.  Ellie is well on track with her qualifications and is meeting deadlines with her work. Ellie demonstrates leadership, and creativity and looks for solutions to problems. Her positive impact on people and the Gateway business over a short period has been outstanding and this is why she is our Apprentice of the Year.”

Charlie Stansfield and Niki Wiehler from Rochdale Youth Hub are proud to have supported Ellie on her journey to Apprentice of the Year. She is an inspiration to other young people and her achievements are amazing, Congratulations Ellie.

Apprenticeships help shape successful lives and build successful businesses across a large and diverse range of sectors. If you would like further information on recruiting an Apprentice, email Mark Whittaker at mwhittaker@rochdaletraining.co.uk