Edmonton MP Andy Love today joined local apprentice, 18 year-old Ellis Cook, to go ‘back to the floor’ in support of National Apprenticeship Week. Ellis, who is working towards a full level two framework in Business Administration, showed Andy some of the work she does as an apprentice at Enfield Training Services on Montagu Road, Edmonton.
Andy is a strong supporter of apprenticeships and has welcomed the Government’s commitment to funding apprenticeship places in Edmonton – a move designed to give young people greater opportunities and routes into work whilst boosting the economy. Thanks to Government investment, the number of Edmonton residents completing apprenticeships has more than tripled to 92 in 2008/09 from just 30 in 2003/04.
The idea of National Apprenticeship Week, which took place at the beginning of February, is to highlight the increased number and the range of apprenticeships available in both the private and public sector and to encourage young people to consider an apprenticeship as a route into a successful career, as well as to encourage employers to take apprentices on.
Commenting on apprenticeships in Edmonton, Andy said…
“It’s good to see young people so involved in hands on learning. Ellis is obviously enjoying her apprenticeship whilst gaining work experience and a valuable qualification at the same time. I take on as many local work experience students as I can because I know how important getting on-the-job skills are to our young people’s future. And apprenticeships go much further than work experience can.
“In the current economic situation, it’s vital that we continue to invest in the economy and make sure people in Edmonton have the skills they need to succeed in the future, ensuring that our area can benefit from the upturn. Apprenticeships are a great way of doing just that and I hope the numbers of local people joining apprenticeship schemes continues to rise.”
Vic Grimes from the National Apprenticeship Service said…
“We are delighted that London MPs are taking part in Apprenticeship Week through activities such as ‘back to the floor.’ MPs are getting a taste of how apprenticeships contribute to London’s economy across a number of sectors and industries.”