Blenheim Palace on track to train 100 apprentices by 2027

Aimee Anikola is a project management apprentice at the palace

Blenheim Palace has said it is on track to achieve its target of training more than 100 apprentices by the end of 2027.

The World Heritage Site said 49 apprentices have already completed schemes, with an additional 38 currently undergoing training.

Apprentices are employed in a range of roles, including plumbing, forestry and hospitality.

CEO Dominic Hare said he was "immensely proud" of the programme.

He said: "Our apprentices are some of our best people, and they are also injecting a new lease of life into the veteran staff who are being given the opportunity to teach their trades to a new generation."

Dominic Hare, CEO of Blenheim Palace, said he was "immensely proud" of the programme.

Apprenticeships allow people to gain qualifications, whilst also working and earning money at the same time.

Mr Hare said: "The passing down of skills, principles and practices is a vital part of building not only a legacy which anyone can be proud of, but also a community which improves the quality of life for future residents."

Aimee Anikola, 26, is on a project management apprenticeship at the palace, following five years at university.

She said it was a "unique once in a lifetime type of opportunity" and a "completely different route into your dream job".

"From working with other apprentices across different parts of the business, to working in and around a World Heritage Site - every day is different," she said.

Emelia Callaghan is one of 38 apprentices currently working at Blenheim

Ms Anikola said she had been looking for a career change, but was "at an age where I needed to start getting some real-world experience".

"I am able to learn on the job whilst putting it into practice on a daily basis," she added.

Emelia Callaghan, a 23-year-old apprentice working in the marketing team, said: "Being on-site, and being a part of different events, you can only really do it through experiencing it."

National Apprenticeship Week begins on 5 February 2024.

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