When dreams come true…

A profoundly deaf student at Bondholder Derby College Group (DCG) who appeared on the BBC’s The One Show in 2018 talking about his dream to work at fellow Bondholder Rolls-Royce, has now been accepted onto its full apprenticeship scheme starting in September 2020.

Reuben Litherland said: “Everyone is very proud of me. I told all of my family I had got an apprenticeship here. It’s been always my dream from when I was young to go straight from school to an apprenticeship.”

Paul Broadhead, Head of Community Investment & Education Outreach at Rolls-Royce, first reached out to Reuben on hearing his comments on TV and invited him on a special visit to Rolls-Royce, said: “This is fabulous news and just goes to show that dreams do come true and STEM outreach does help inspire and change lives!”

Reuben started on the College’s Youth Apprenticeship programme in 2018 and spends a day a week in Rolls-Royce’s Learning and Development Centre's Apprentice Academy perfecting the skills he will need to work on Rolls-Royce's products.

Michelle Preece, YA Apprentice Development Lead, says: “Reuben has always approached his studies in a committed and positive manner and through hard work and determination is exceeding expectations in most areas of his YA programme. We are delighted to see that Reuben has chosen to apply for the full time Practical Apprenticeship programme and look forward to working with him in the future”.