ONE of the region's leading regeneration organisations BEC is celebrating a year of its first ever apprenticeship intake.

West Cumbrian based social impact property developers BEC launched its programme BECademy last year and is recognising the impact its apprentice intake has made in the community.

During the intake, BEC hired five apprentices who work in a range of roles such as project management, facilities management, marketing and business support based at Westlakes Science Park in Whitehaven.

In their first year, the apprentices have been involved in the development of BEC’s schemes such as the Bus Station and their plans to create a Digital and Gaming Hub in Whitehaven, as well as the Soundwave Music Hub and environmental initiatives across their estates.

Each apprentice is enrolled on a college course and has a team mentor relevant to their job within the organisation.

Joseph Blakeley, one of the apprentices who is working as a digital marketeer said: “When deciding on what apprenticeship to do, BEC was always at the top of my list of options.

"I knew I wanted to work somewhere that would allow me to feel satisfied in the work I’d be doing and actually see physical change in my community - BEC was the natural choice.

“Even after just one year of my apprenticeship, I have already experienced so much. I’ll always remember being a part of the event team for BEC’s stall at Whitehaven Alive 2023."

Another of BEC’s apprentices Beth Forbes who is currently working as a support services assistant, said: “I chose BEC as they really care about the environment and the people within each town.

"It feels very rewarding to work alongside people who want to give back to our community.

“The project that was my highlight was the Community Conversation events. This allowed the apprentices to work together as a team and share ideas about ways to interact with the different communities around us. "

BEC’s chief executive officer Michael Pemberton added: “We are proud of how our apprentices have grown in the last 12 months, their dedication, enthusiasm, energy and can-do attitude has gone above and beyond our expectations!

“Their contribution and commitment is incredibly important to the work we are doing here at BEC, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds and what more they achieve with us.”