Member Article

MPs take on apprenticeship roles

Three of the region’s MPs are set to sample life as an apprentice as they swap their lives in Westminster for a day as a North East apprentice.

Newcastle Central MP Chi Onwurah, Ian Swailes MP for Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton South MP James Wharton will partner up with youngsters in their constituencies to highlight the importance of these schemes, and to encourage more businesses to get involved.

Miss Onwurah, Shadow Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills, will have the opportunity to shadow biotechnology apprentice Emma Bennison, 18, Blyth, and try her hand at taking on some of her roles at Newcastle University’s Ageing Research Laboratories.

Likewise James Wharton will fill the role of 18 year-old engineering apprentice Elliot Greenan at design consultancy CAD21 in Stockton where he will try his hand at architectural lighting design.

Heavy industry suppliers Peterson Engineering of Dormanstown, Redcar, will welcome new recruit Ian Swailes for the day as he gets the opportunity to roll up his sleeves and help manufacture specialist machine parts with engineering apprentice Bradley Hinchcliffe.

NECC Chief Executive, James Ramsbotham, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for these prominent regional MPs to sample the training, expertise and skills delivered through NECC apprenticeships and meet with some of the region’s brightest young stars who are bringing enthusiasm, hard work and new ideas to their companies.

“Each MP has been assigned apprenticeships within their constituency at companies and organisations that are blazing a trail in their respective fields.”

Apprentices can help businesses to address key needs and aid the development of a highly skilled workforce which can be moulded to meet the needs of each individual company. the NECC currently has its highest number of employed apprentices in training in two years, which represents a 30% increase over the last year

NECC Director of Training and Skills Development, Patricia Wilkinson, said: “I would like to thank each Member of Parliament, company and most of all each apprentice for agreeing to take part in this event and hope they enjoy the experience.

“For many companies apprenticeships are a critical way of training young people and adults to fill specific roles within their organisations, helping both the individual and business develop together.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .