AN APPRENTICE from Dawlish has described how valuable his experience has been.

Matthew Sluman is an apprentice engineering technician with South West Water which has been celebrating the range of its apprentices across the company’s teams as part of National Apprentice Week.

Matthew, 31, was between jobs and uncertain what direction to go in before he landed the role with SWW.

Since then, he is proud to have won two awards for his efforts.

He said he was surprised by how supportive his managers were, making him feel valued and not just a number.

He said: ‘There is no such thing as too old to start again and every day is a school day so why not start an apprenticeship and get paid while you learn lots of new life skills.’

Pennon Group, which owns SWW, was recently awarded Platinum membership of The 5% Club in recognition of its commitment to supporting apprentices and graduates, the only business in the UK water sector to achieve this.

The 5% Club is made up of employers that are committed to providing the best opportunities for the next generation to get started in their careers by combining work and education by offering a variety of graduate and apprentice programmes.

Sharon Gathercole, Pennon’s People and Culture Director, said: ‘We are pleased to be an inclusive place to work that provides fantastic opportunities for those just starting their careers to get their foot in the door.

‘Bringing in new people with fresh ideas through apprenticeships and graduate programs, we want to see those of all ages and backgrounds join our business, helping us continue to be a forward-thinking and diverse organisation.’

National Apprenticeship Week celebrates the value, benefit, and opportunity that apprenticeships bring to individuals and companies.