YOUNG apprentices at Plymouth Royal Naval Base have been helping with new-look community projects as part of their training.

Ministry of Defence Engineering Management Apprentices undertook community projects with charity and regeneration groups near Devonport Dockyard in woodland on the high street.

Kate Perry, Apprentice Development Manager for Devonport, said: “The community projects have not only given the apprentices a chance to develop and put into practice project management and team work skills that are essential to their future work placements, but it has also given them the opportunity to give something back to the local area in which many of them live. This is the first year that the community projects have been run on this scale and I am extremely proud of the group and their commitment to the task in hand.’’

The apprentices are potential project managers for the MOD and the community project aspect of their training has been enhanced and enlarged to reflect the theoretical project management knowledge while giving back to the community close to the Naval Base.

The students were allowed one week to plan the project when they had to discuss the project with the outside organisations’ co-ordinators and run it like a mini-project, developing a basic project plan, risk assessments and managing staffing.

One group of apprentices, Jamie Scott, Ben Ham, Ryan Lock, Dan King, Alex Holwill, Will Trant and Adam Jude worked with the gardening group ‘Diggin it’ in Stoke to build a woodland walk way in a disused area to help educate school children on wildlife and conservation.

Zoe Underwood, of Diggin it, said: “We have never met such a capable and enthusiastic bunch of lads. They were very professional and courteous: going above and beyond. Using recycled materials they have created a woodland walkway and the finished result after their short space of time with us has blown our expectations. In addition, we also have a new sign, ‘mini-bug hotel’ and they repaired our steps up to the garden kitchen. Not only will our volunteers/visitors benefit from our new beautiful spot, but also the local wildlife.’’

Another group, Axel Nicks, Jo Clingo, Joe Quigley, Harrison Drayton, James Girow and Kris Majer with Devonport Community First (DCF), Devonport with the Devonport Regeneration team to transform a disused shop on George Street to house a café and performing arts space.

Clint Jones, of DCF, said: “The group were fantastic and achieved everything that was asked of them. They were hard working, organised and professional and seemed to enjoy the challenge of working together on the project.’’ The apprentices have now started their first work based placement within teams based at dockyard, before undertaking an intensive HNC in Marine Engineering at Cornwall College in the New Year.