They Started With No Experience – Now These Cornwall Apprentices Are Engineering the Future

Wildanet celebrates its first group of Technical Training Academy graduates in Liskeard

Cornwall-based broadband provider Wildanet has marked a key milestone, celebrating the first apprentices to graduate from its Technical Training Academy at a special event held at its Westbourne House headquarters in Liskeard.

A Proud Moment for Cornwall’s Digital Workforce

The ceremony recognised the achievements of the first group of apprentices to complete Wildanet’s Telecoms Field Operative Level 2 apprenticeship, developed in partnership with Truro and Penwith College. Others graduated from courses in management, logistics and finance – all supporting careers within the fast-growing company.

Friends and family joined the celebration, which was hosted by Julie-anne Sunderland, Wildanet’s Chief People Officer, alongside Academy Head Ian Carmichael and guest of honour Anna Gelderd, MP for South East Cornwall.

The event included a tour of the Academy and demonstrations of the fibre engineering skills learned during the training.

📷Anna Gelderd MP with Andrew Rockey-Gunn

Recognition for Hard Work and Dedication

Julie-anne Sunderland described the graduation as “the culmination of what started out as a dream”, highlighting how proud she was of the first cohort and the journey they’ve taken.

“Seeing our first apprentices graduate, with many passing with distinctions and even being recognised for awards, is recognition of their hard work, the quality of training at our Academy and the success of the apprenticeship programme,” said Julie-anne.

“We are not only upskilling our workforce but also supporting Cornwall’s wider economic growth.”

Apprentices Reflect on Their Journey

Among the graduates was Andrew Rockey-Gunn, a finalist in the Cornwall Apprentice Awards 2024, who shared his experience:

“This apprenticeship has been amazing. I’ve gained incredible hands-on experience and a fantastic mentor. I’m proud to have reached this milestone and it was also nice to be recognised in the Cornwall Apprenticeship Awards.”

Dan Anderson, another member of the first cohort, praised the practical training:

“From the moment I walked through the door, it felt right. The Academy provided me with the practical and technical skills to build a solid career in telecoms. It’s been a challenging but rewarding experience.”

Political Support for Local Skills Investment

Anna Gelderd congratulated all the apprentices and praised Wildanet for backing local talent:

“This is a huge win for Cornwall. Investing in skills and creating local opportunities is essential for our communities. It’s fantastic to see businesses like Wildanet leading the way in workforce development and ensuring young people have access to career-building training right here at home.”

Looking Ahead: Growing Interest in Wildanet’s Academy

The success of the Academy’s first year has already drawn significant attention. 76 new applicants have expressed interest in joining the next engineering apprenticeship programme.

Wildanet is now exploring how to expand its training offer further – not only for its own team, but also for the wider supply chain and local communities, as part of its commitment to digital inclusion.

Part of Cornwall and Devon’s Digital Revolution

Wildanet is rolling out Full Fibre broadband to thousands of homes and businesses across Cornwall and Devon and has been recognised as a champion of digital inclusion. Earlier this year, the company signed the Workforce Digital Skills Charter and became the first UK AltNet to become a Certified B Corporation – reinforcing its commitment to a profit-with-purpose model.

With the success of its first Academy graduates, Wildanet has taken another step in building a digitally skilled workforce in Cornwall, helping secure the region’s future in the growing digital economy.

📷Wildanet Apprentices Graduation