Edinburgh’s Liberal Democrat MP, Mike Crockart, has highlighted the growing opportunities available for young people who want to get training through an apprenticeship.
A debate in the Commons for National Apprenticeship Week allowed MPs from across the house the opportunity to praise the ever-increasing number of apprenticeships being offered, and highlighted the fact that they offer an alternative path into some top flight careers.
Mike Crockart, who is working with the charity Intern Aware to bring an end to unpaid internships has already employed two apprentices in his office and plans to offer more positions.
Commenting after the debate Mike Crockart said:
“Apprenticeships have never been more important. The challenging economic climate means that competition for jobs is greater than ever. It’s an employers’ market and many are looking for quite specific sector experience, but that power comes with responsibility – a duty to think innovatively about job creation.
“I recently met Scottish entrepreneur Sir William Haughey whose Youth with Hope programme looks to motivate and inspire organisations of all capacities to play their part in addressing the needs and aspirations of the young.
“His flagship idea “green champions” sees young people employed by large companies to specifically promote sustainable building management, and energy and resource efficiency practices. Given that 40% of the UK’s carbon emissions are down to the way in which our buildings are lit, heated and run, it is easy to see how the green champions could soon pay their own way.
“It is schemes like this which will change the fortunes of hundreds, hopefully thousands of young lives across a whole range of industries. The Government’s £1 billion Youth Contract has been instrumental in changing attitudes towards apprenticeships and in creating more places but employers also need to play their part.”
Sir William Haughey, founder of Youth with Hope added:
“It’s great to see apprenticeships being raised at Westminster. For too long the focus has been on higher education, rather than offering a different but equally positive and fulfilling path.
“The debate and the number of MPs who took part is a reflection of what an important issue this is and I am sure that our call for more training places will continue apace. I hope that Members from across the House will go back to their constituencies and push employers to think about taking on an apprentice.
“Young people should hope for a bright future: with a little imagination and hard work we can ensure that that hope becomes a reality.”
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
