Ladder for Shropshire gets backing ahead of National Apprenticeship Week

MP Robert Halfon, who is chairman of the Education and Skills Select Committee, said showcasing apprenticeships and skills was as important as ever during these unprecedented times.

It comes as businesses across the region continue to offer apprenticeships through the Ladder campaign.

Mr Halfon said: “I am a proud patron of the Ladder Foundation which is a brilliant initiative and I am really pleased to support it.

"We need to get young people on the education and skills ladder of opportunity, climbing that ladder rung by rung to get job security and prosperity for the future.

"What the Ladder does is it gives the chance to do those apprenticeships and skills. I welcome the work which the Ladder is doing with local councils, the Department for Education and many more besides."

Mr Halfon's support for the Ladder campaign comes ahead of an event which is being held to shine a light on the amazing work being done by employers and apprentices across the country.

The event, being organised with support of the Ladder for Shropshire, will be live throughout the week, commencing Monday and featuring a host of timetabled activities.

It will include live interaction with providers, employers and existing apprentices. There will also be lots of opportunities for potential apprentices, parents, teachers and employers to ask questions.

'Delighted'

It is being held virtually as the annual Apprenticeship, Employment and Skills Live Show at the Telford International Centre and the Apprenticeship Show at Shrewsbury Town Football Club cannot go ahead as normal this year because of the pandemic.

Mr Halfon said: "The pandemic has been so difficult for everyone and those in apprenticeships and colleges are often forgotten as everyone understandably focusses on schools.

"So let’s use Apprenticeship Week and this event to showcase the very best of apprenticeships and skills, the work of the Ladder, and let’s get our young people climbing that ladder so we can build a skills and apprenticeships nation.

"The Government White Paper which we are currently scrutinising is a good step forward as it is saying that skills are as important as academic education and we need to invest more in skills and have a lifetime guarantee for young people to help them do the qualifications they need and give them all the opportunities they need to make that happen."

Councillor Shirley Reynolds, of Telford & Wrekin Council, added: “In normal times we would see our annual Apprenticeship Show event take place at the Telford International Centre attracting thousands of young people and local businesses from around the borough. Whilst we are sad this cannot happen in the current situation, we delighted to bring you a whole range of information through the Job Box website.

“Apprenticeships are for all ages and offer opportunity to study at all levels from Level 2 up to degree level in a range of sectors. For many, the apprenticeship route is not such an obvious choice. But for those who are motivated to get started in the job market, an apprenticeship is an excellent way of gaining essential experience, earn while you work and gain a nationally recognised qualification.

“We hope people will take the time look through the online resources which explain more about the benefits of the apprenticeship route.”