An award-winning apprentice has been giving the City of Bath College's Principal a lesson in glass blowing.
Matt Atkinson shadowed apprentice Laura Barnes at Bath Aqua Glass as part of National Apprenticeship Week.
Miss Barnes, who won Outstanding Apprentice of the Year for Manufacturing and Engineering at last year's Bath Apprenticeship Awards, taught Mr Atkinson about the ancient craft of heating, blowing and shaping glass.
The college is the biggest provider of apprenticeships in the local area working with businesses in an array of sectors, including engineering, business administration, carpentry, IT, hospitality and catering, hairdressing, plumbing, stonemasonry and refrigeration and air conditioning.
Mr Atkinson said: "I'm really pleased the college can work with local businesses to support the development of their workforces.
"It's been fascinating to learn about Bath Aqua Glass. I was taken aback by just how much they do; it really is one of Bath's hidden gems.
"This is such a specialist area and the college is helping to meet the needs of the employer. This partnership exemplifies what apprenticeships are all about."
Miss Barnes, 21, applied for the apprenticeship at Bath Aqua Glass on Walcot Street in July 2012 after she had completed A-Levels in art, psychology and dance.
She said: "I was looking for a practical job and it just jumped out at me. I wanted to do something hands-on; I didn't want to work in an office.
"I didn't have any experience of the industry, it wasn't something that I knew anything about but my colleagues have been really great teachers."
The 2014 Bristol and Bath Apprenticeship Awards are now open.
Categories look to celebrate the hard work of apprentices across many different sectors including education, construction, fiance and public services. Other categories honour firms of different sizes and training providers.
The deadline for entries is April 28 and the winners will be announced at a gala awards night being held at Bristol Marriott City Centre Hotel on June 18.
For more information on the awards and how to enter, visit www.bathchronicle.co.uk/apprenticeships
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