Brum bosses go head to head in university bake-off for National Apprenticeship Week

Birmingham employers whipped themselves into shape to beat off the competition in a bake-off at University College Birmingham for National Apprenticeship Week. 

Teams of two from Moseley Hall Hospital, The Salon, Midland Heart Housing Association, Jericho Foundation and UCB itself went spatula to spatula in the Victoria sponge challenge, part of a week-long line-up of events to mark the UK awareness week. 

However, it was Helen Worrall and Ann Jarvis from the Jericho Foundation, which helps people facing occupational barriers to employment, training or social inclusion, who took the trophy, the other teams getting in a bit of a jam with their masterpieces. 

Jacob Walker, Employer Contracts Officer at UCB, said the event at one of UCB’s training kitchens was great fun - with a few of the cakes having more than a soggy bottom - and gave employers the chance to meet and talk about their apprenticeship experiences. 

“Aside from my team coming second from last, the bake-off was a brilliant, less formal way to bring together some of the employers who provide the on-the-job training elements of our growing number of apprenticeship schemes,” he said. 

“We have always had great links with industry, but with the current drive on apprenticeships and employers wanting more tailored programmes that are relevant and truly benefit their businesses, we are building even more engagement and developing exciting new opportunities. For example, the 20 Level 3 Apprenticeships in leadership skills we have developed for Midland Heart Housing Association’s current staff.”  

Tasked with baking and decorating the cakes in three hours, the bake-off was judged by Rebecca Chitty, owner of Birmingham’s Chitty’s Cakes, Assistant Dean of UCB’s College of Food Samantha Dowle and UCB assessor Johnny Robson. 

Bakery apprentice Jessica Dalton, who now works at the University while studying for a degree after completing a Level 3 Bakery Apprenticeship, was also on judging panel. 

Find out more about apprenticeships at UCB and how they can help your business.