In the build up to this year’s National Apprenticeship Week in March, local MP Jessica Lee has been visiting a number Erewash business’s to meet employees benefiting from an apprenticeship.

Recently Miss Lee met with apprentices from Derwent Analytics and TecQuipment, including apprentices that were recruited directly from the Jobs Fair Miss Lee held last September. Miss Lee also visited Anderson's Fine foods & Outside Catering and Cafe 100, both of which are community cafe’s based in Long Eaton which offers  apprentices the opportunity to gain real work based training whilst learning all aspects of both the hospitality and catering industry.

Since 2010 the number of new apprentices has nearly doubled, with 520,600 people starting an apprenticeship in the academic year 2011/2012.

Jessica Lee MP commented:

“In Erewash we are lucky to have a large number of businesses that offer apprenticeships in a range of sectors, from engineering and manufacturing to catering and retail.

 Since coming to power in 2010, this Government has been committed to raising the number of people choosing an apprenticeship. It has succeeded in changing the perception of apprenticeships so that they are now considered a credible alternative to University, something which I strongly support.  

In the run up to National Apprenticeship Week in March, I would urge all business’s across Erewash and the wider region to consider whether they could take on a new apprentice and give someone the opportunity to learn a new skill or trade.”

Further to her visits in Erewash, during the last Treasury Question Time, Miss Lee asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer: 

“I warmly welcome the announcement that my right hon. Friend has just made. I am sure the fact that a fairer share of tax is being paid will also be warmly welcomed by my constituents in Erewash. Does my right hon. Friend agree that another important aspect of private sector job creation is the role of apprenticeships? Companies such as Derwent Analytics and TecQuipment in my constituency have an important role and are enriching young people with opportunity and skills for the future.”

To which the Chancellor, The Rt. Hon. George Osborne MP replied:

“My hon. Friend is right, and I am glad she welcomes the deal we have struck with Switzerland—a deal, by the way, rejected by the previous Government. Apprenticeships are vital in helping to create that skilled work force. More than 1 million people have started apprenticeships since 2010 and in her constituency alone there has been a 42% increase. I am delighted that successful businesses in her constituency are helping to train the work force of tomorrow.”

National Apprenticeship Week 2013 will run from Monday 11th March to Friday 15th March.