People are being encouraged to look into apprenticeship schemes to gain qualifications and get straight into the world of work.
National Apprenticeship Week kicks off on Monday and MP for Milton Keynes South, Iain Stewart, has given it his full backing.
Today he visited city company Niftylift where he spoke with two apprentices who were splitting their time between gaining a qualification at MK College and earning experience on the job.
Mr Stewart said: “I think it is a higely important training option for young people. They get the combination of learning in the classroom and on the job which is so powerful.
“I understand why schools push the path of staying in education, but it is important they see the full range of options open to them.”
Apprentice Zack Berridge, said: “I am enjoying it. Because you move between all of the different sections you learn about the whole operation. It’s a great thing to get into because you get the qualifications and get to work.”
And operations director Steve Beckwith added: “I started as an apprentice so I fully believe in them. Apprenticeships are a major investment for us because we get very skilled and qualified workers.”
The Milton Keynes Buszy is also working hard to promote apprenticeships and two young people, Abi Day, 19, and Zeta Rush, 21, are heavily involved in the Milton Keynes Job Club, one of 17 in the city helping people of all ages to find work.
They are supported by Milton Keynes Council and Adult Continuing Education (ACE).
Abi said: “It’s a good experience for us because it builds our confidence, but it’s nice helping other people get jobs as well, especially because a lot of them are in our age group.”
For more information visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk
> Our video shows Abi and Zeta at work at the Buszy yesterday (Thursday, March 7)
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