A TEAM of apprentices from United Utilities is in the running for a top challenge.

The group from the Great Sankey based company is one of 110 teams consisting of 1,000 apprentices to be entered in The Brathay Apprentice Challenge 2014.

Northern England has seen 42 teams sign up for the challenge including; Durham County Council, PepsiCo, Innovia Films, Siemens, and Bradford Bulls, Willmot Dixon.

Supported by the National Apprenticeship Service, the Brathay Apprentice Challenge offers an enhanced Apprenticeship, giving apprentices the chance to improve their team building, logistical, leadership and community skills.

Matthew Hancock MP, skills and enterprise Minister, said: “The breadth and depth of teams signed up for the apprentice team of the year contest demonstrates the diversity of Apprenticeships now on offer – and the commitment of the country’s leading employers to hiring apprentices.

“Hiring apprentices helps businesses to grow their own talent by developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce and I look forward to hearing about the contribution the Brathay Apprentice Challenge teams make to their employers and their local communities.”

Last years’ winners Innovia Films from Cumbria have also entered to defend their crown along with 2012 winners.

Consisting of nine apprentices, the teams will spread the word about Apprenticeships through school visits, media interviews and social media activity and will take on a local community project before the end of March.

Finalists will be announced in April at the House of Commons before going on to compete in further activities prior to the national finals in June.

Godfrey Owen, chief executive of organisers, Brathay Trust, said: “With each year the calibre and number of teams competing increases making this year – our third – the toughest challenge yet.

“We look forward to welcoming the finalists once again to our headquarters in Ambleside for the grand final of the challenge.”