THE impact that apprenticeships have on individuals, employers and the economy was celebrated at an Anglesey airbase recently.

To mark the recent National Apprenticeship Week initiative RAF Valley has put the focus on one of its young engineers.

Gethin Roberts (19), from Bethesda, has been working at RAF Valley as a Babcock engineer for the past two and a half years, after joining straight from college.

During his time, he has been given the opportunity to work on various Hawk T1 aircraft including the famous Red Arrows.

Gethin, who works on aircraft within a team of Babcock engineers, said: “I couldn’t find a better apprenticeship to be in. I have a few friends currently trying to get on the same course and I couldn’t recommend it enough”.

Gethin is currently working on the Hawk T1 XX325, preparing the aircraft with various checks and repairs, ready for the Red Arrows tour around the USA later this year.

He says it has been one of his “most enjoyable experiences to date” and is just part of the many roles he will carry out whilst working at RAF Valley.