A West Bromwich church is looking for an apprentice to work alongside the vicar for one or two years and find out more about what it means to serve as a minister in the Church of England.  

The new vicar of Holy Trinity West Bromwich helped run the apprentice scheme for four years in his previous post as curate of St Luke's Blakenhall in Wolverhampton.  The first two apprentices completed their training last summer.  One is now a part-time youth worker in a church in Hinckley and the other works at St Luke's school and is exploring becoming a vicar through the Diocese of Lichfield.  The current apprentices at St Luke's came from Ghana and South Africa and are half way through their training.  

The new apprentice for Holy Trinity, who will begin work in September, will attend the Midlands Ministry Training Course one day a week and will spend the rest of their time teaching the Bible in the church and parish; working with the Sunday School and Youth Group, kids club; as well as taking assemblies and RE lessons at Holy Trinity School, working with holiday clubs, Christianity Explored courses, one to one Bible reading and occasional talks at the church's Sunday services.   

The ministry trainee will also work on a summer camp, a regional youth event, and help with a variety of practical and administrative tasks at church.  

The Vicar of Holy Trinity West Bromwich, the Revd Neil Robbie, said: "As a vicar, I'm not only responsible for leading my congregation and serving my parishioners today; but also for drawing out and supporting those who will lead the church tomorrow.

"I’m excited by the success that this ministry trainee scheme has had at Blakenhall and I’m looking forward to welcoming an apprentice to join us in West Bromwich from September."  

Anybody who is interested can find more information, including how to apply, at lichfield.anglican.org/vacancies.