Business

Teenager treated to "banging out" celebration after completing apprenticeship

By Becky Barnes
February 11, 2013

A teenager from Bracknell was dressed up in women’s clothes and drenched with ink to celebrate completing a two-year apprenticeship with a print company.

Robbie Bell, of Oldstead, Crown Wood, was treated to a ‘banging out’ by colleagues at LightBrigade Media, in Chertsey, last Friday, February 1.

The 18-year-old said: “I had heard about this rite of passage so when I got given a bag of women’s clothes I knew it was time, but it was a surprise. I was absolutely buzzing on the day.”

The apprentice was paraded along Chertsey High Street and dunked in ink as part of a tradition popular in the print, craft and engineering industries and dating back 100 years.

Robbie joined the company in 2011 to do two weeks of work experience, but after his first week was offered a full apprenticeship.

Andrew Edwards, managing director of LightBrigade Media said; “After being offered a full time apprenticeship, he hasn’t disappointed us.

“He started under the guidance of Geoff Griffiths who has more than 40 years’ experience.

“Robbie’s personality shines through and nobody deserves to be covered in ink and paraded through the streets as he.”

Robbie said: “Rather than the traditional pathway of going to college then getting a job, choosing the path of becoming an apprentice really worked for me.”

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