Reliance Apprentices Embark on an Outward Bound Adventure
A group of enthusiastic engineering apprentices from Reliance Precision Limited (‘Reliance’) have just returned from a week-long learning adventure in the stunning surroundings of the Lake District, with The Outward Bound Trust.
The Outward Bound Trust is a leading outdoor education charity. They specialise in adventure-based learning in wild settings which helps young people to step outside their comfort zones to develop new skills. The residential programme brought together Reliance’s first- and second-year apprentices and saw them take part in a series of challenging activities including hiking, canoeing, camping, wild water swimming and even gorge walking through Nether Beck. The programme of events was designed to build resilience and foster confidence as well as develop teamwork, leadership and creative problem-solving skills.
For many apprentices, this was their first experience of such an immersive programme. Connor Dunbar, First Year Apprentice, said: “During my Outward Bound Trust Week, I faced challenges that pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow both personally and professionally. As a first-year apprentice at Reliance, I took the opportunity to test my resilience, teamwork, and problem-solving skills through demanding hikes and group tasks. Although some activities were tough, I stayed positive, supported my teammates, and learned to push through difficulties. By the end of the week, I felt a real sense of achievement, greater confidence in myself, and a stronger understanding of the value of teamwork and perseverance — lessons I’ll carry forward in my apprenticeship and future career.”
Charlie Thornton, Second Year Apprentice, added:
“I enjoyed taking on responsibilities within my team and contributing to our success in different challenges. It was a great opportunity to build on my teamwork and communication skills whilst supporting others and staying organised. I made a conscious effort to reflect on each activity using Kolb’s learning cycle — considering what went well, what could be improved, and how to apply those lessons to the next task. This helped me to develop greater self-awareness, adapt to different situations, and make steady improvements throughout the week.”
Robert Farrell, Training School Manager, comments:
“This early years residential is more than just an outdoor adventure, it’s a powerful way to help our apprentices grow personally and professionally off-the-job. The feedback I’ve received from the team has been incredibly positive and I also enjoyed taking part, even though some of the activities were challenging. The Outward Bound Trust’s approach aligns well with our commitment to supporting the development of confident, well-rounded engineers. They were able to tailor the week to reflect our company principles, and I particularly liked the focus on self-reflection alongside working as a team. I’d like to thank our hosts at the Eskdale Centre for making this such an exciting and rewarding experience.”