A COUNTY firm is celebrating training and developing the first two apprentices in a national scheme scheme.

DRPG creative communications group promoted and provided input in the new national event assistant apprenticeship scheme, the first and only scheme to be dedicated to events.

The scheme, first launched in 2016, focuses solely on the events industry and the training standard given is now fully approved and recognised, and promoted through the Event Management Apprenticeship Programme.

This led to the company taking on two event assistant apprentices, Sarah Davitt and Sascha Lewis.

The two have now both qualified and are the first two apprentices to complete this qualification in the whole of the UK.

Reflecting on their qualifications and achievements, Sascha said: “It feels amazing to have completed my apprenticeship. It hasn’t been easy, but all of my hard work has paid off and I can’t wait to start building my career within DRPG.

"The best thing about the apprenticeship was learning whilst on the job, and now I’ve got a qualification at the end of it.”

Sarah added: “I am so happy to have finished my apprenticeship. Being able to study and gain experience in the event industry was exactly what I wanted.

"I feel like I have really started my career which not a lot of 20 year olds can say.”

Dale Parmenter, CEO of DRPG, which is based in Hartlebury and provides communications for local names including Worcester Bosch, praised both for completing the apprenticeship: “It is a great achievement to see Sarah and Sascha qualify, and to be the first two in the industry to do this is a fantastic milestone for them personally but also for the events industry as well.

"I’m looking forward to seeing them flourish within their new roles and, as always, I look forward to taking on more apprentices whilst seeing our other cohorts develop and grow to with our business.”