FULL HOUSE: In praise of apprenticeships. From left, Young Chamber co-ordinator Will Montgomery, Laura Hankinson from TestLink, Greg Hughes from TestLink, Mid Dorset and North Poole MP Michael Tomlinson and DCCI chief executive Ian Girling.
Dorset’s Young Chamber programme and county businesses were praised in a Parliamentary debate about apprenticeships.
Mid Dorset and North Poole MP Michael Tomlinson urged more support for apprenticeships and for young people in Dorset when the subject of funding was discussed at Westminster.
Mr Tomlinson spoke in support of apprenticeships and highlighted the good work being done in Dorset to support and recruit apprentices.
Mr Tomlinson, who is the chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Youth Employment, backs apprenticeships as a vital method of providing opportunity for young people in Dorset.
He said: “The debate on apprenticeships is important as they provide great opportunities for our young people to gain both employment and skills.
“They are also vitally important for many of our local businesses. I was pleased to speak in support of apprentices and local businesses who run apprenticeship schemes.”
Michael highlighted the work of Poole companies TestLink and the PME Group as good examples of local businesses who support apprentices.
Apprenticeships
He also praised the work of Ian Girling and the Dorset Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) who run the Dorset Young Chamber programme that helps link schools and employers.
Ian Girling, DCCI chief executive, said: “Employers frequently tell us of the importance in preparing young people for the world of work.
“This is not only in terms of good quality careers advice, but also the development of those soft skills such as communication and teamwork that are so important.
“Our Young Chamber programme is making a real difference in engaging schools and businesses to work together in offering not only valuable insights in to careers but also inspire and motivate young people to achieve and succeed. We are delighted that Michael has taken such a keen interest in this programme and highly value his support.”
Jade Chalk, commercial director of PME Group, added: “Apprentices play a key role in our local business and I am pleased that our local MP is taking this matter so seriously.
“I look forward to working with him to continue supporting apprenticeships.”
Michael spoke of the drop in youth unemployment and how the Government’s proposed Apprenticeship Levy offered local businesses real support when hiring young people.
DCCI, the voice of business in Dorset, with 800 members representing 37,000 employees, launched the Young Chamber programme earlier this year.
For more details contact accunt director James Tourgout on 07827 806400 and james.tourgout@deepsouthmedia.co.uk.
