Former “The Apprentice” star, Saira Khan, has shadowed some of Ford’s manufacturing and engineering apprentices in recognition of National Apprenticeship Week 2015.

The Apprentice runner-up and television presenter, Saira, visited the Centre for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence (CEME) in Dagenham, Essex, and spent the afternoon working with Ford’s newest apprentices in the run-up to National Apprenticeship Week.

Saira was introduced to the team of advanced engineering apprentices, who joined Ford in September 2014, before getting her hands dirty and learning some of the skills that the apprentices have developed in their roles so far. This included engraving, drilling and polishing a metal plaque, before she was shown around the facility by the apprentices, who shared their experiences with her.

Today marks the first day of National Apprenticeship Week, which celebrates apprenticeships across the UK, and recognises the benefits they provide to both the individual and the employer.

Saira Khan, said: “It’s great to see so many young people with an interest in hands-on apprenticeships, and especially great to see so many young women involved. Schools and businesses need to work together to ensure that young people are offered both a chance to go to university or take to the apprenticeship route, and both options should hold the same value in terms of prestige and honour.

“Giving people practical skills and on the job training is valuable to the UK economy in the long term.”

Ford apprentices at the Dunton Technical Centre and Warley Central Office, in Essex, are also taking part in a ‘Job Swap’ throughout National Apprenticeship Week. The Job Swap will see Ford managers, many of whom began their careers as Ford apprentices, shadow Ford’s current apprentices in their day-to-day roles throughout the week. Some Higher apprentices in engineering, IT and finance will also have the opportunity to shadow their managers, to experience a taste of what they could expect to be doing in years to come.

Ford apprenticeship manager, Tessa Hougham, said: “Apprenticeships provide real benefits for us as an employer; bringing productive, enthusiastic and loyal people into the company, who can go on to lead the teams of the future. 

“It is important to recognise the talent, skills, achievement and successes of our apprentices, which is highlighted during National Apprenticeship Week. The managers involved with the Job Swap are looking forward to getting their hands dirty, and the apprentices can’t wait to show them how it’s done.”

A team of Ford Higher apprentices are also taking part in the Brathay Apprenticeship Challenge, a national competition to find “the apprentice team of the year”, which is supported by the National Apprenticeship Service. A team of nine apprentices have to prove their team building, leadership, logistical and communications abilities through their work on projects together. The winning team will be announced in July 2015.

For more information about National Apprenticeship Week, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/national-apprenticeship-week-2015

To find out more about Ford apprenticeships, visit www.ford-apprenticeships.co.uk