Commissioned as part of Gen2’s National Apprenticeship Week 2019 apprentice challenge, the apprentices were given a £200 budget, and a two-week deadline to produce the sculpture, which would be presented during the judging of the challenge at the week’s finale on Friday 8th March 2019.

The team of apprentices, made up of: Greg Brough, Rachel Cunningham, Lewis Keeler, Jack Larg, Beth McGregor and Travis Wilmot decided early on in the designing of the sculpture that they wanted to produce something commemorative, and suggested to tutors early on that they would like to display the sculpture in the community. To make the sculpture more accessible and interactive for the community, the apprentices designed the sculpture so that the public could attach personal remembrance items, such as padlocks, to remember those who fought during the war.

Hilary Harrington, Mayor of Allerdale, welcomed the apprentices to Allerdale House on 25th July 2019 to officially accept the sculpture on behalf of the community.

Speaking of the sculpture, she said: “It is a very apt way of celebrating the contribution our armed forces make, and what is represents is instantly recognisable. We should be very proud of our young people and what they can achieve. We thank the team from Gen2 for their kind offer to give us this sculpture."

Marion Fitzgerald, leader of the council, said: "It's a great honour for Allerdale Borough Council to take delivery of this piece of work. We will be proud to have it on display."

Regarding the project, apprentice Beth McGregor said: “I’m proud to be part of a team that has managed to produce the sculpture from start to finish. It’s a privilege to see the sculpture leave the workshop and be displayed in the community”.

The handover of the sculpture not only demonstrates the talents of the apprentices and their tutors, but also establishes Gen2’s commitment to the community. In the past year alone Gen2 staff and learners have raised over £1500 for various charities across the county, as well as undertaking other community projects, including the restoration of an 1890’s theatre projector housed in the Theatre Royal in Workington.

Gen2's managing director Paul Storey said: “Allerdale is a great place to live and work, and as our apprentices have shown, young people are capable of giving back to the community, using the skills and knowledge that they are developing with us at Gen2. As a company we are committed to continuously giving back to the community, whether that be through projects such as the WW2 sculpture, or our community learning program starting later this year”.

The sculpture will be put on display outside Allerdale House in Workington in due course.

*Press release prepared by Gen2.