Just the job
Published 23 Feb 2011 09:30
Share this
click to enlarge
DRAWING A CROWD: Fiona Mactaggart lends a hand with making a table being made by carpentry and joinery apprentices. PIC: PAUL JOHNS 110612
APPRENTICES gave an MP a few lessons in traditional skills last week when she was invited to a special business breakfast.
Students at East Berkshire College laid it on thick and showed Slough MP Fiona Mactaggart the drill at a demonstration of bricklaying and carpentry.
As part of National Apprenticeship Week, Ms Mactaggart was one of more than 40 visitors to the college's 'Big Breakfast for Business' in Langley on Thursday last week.
Invited guests from commerce found out more about the college's apprenticeship programmes and the benefits of taking on trained students.
Ms Mactaggart said: "Companies which employ apprentices find that they can build a loyal, skilled workforce which contributes to their business success. And the apprentices I spoke to enjoy this very practical form of on-the-job training. Improving skills is essential if we are to compete and apprenticeships are the most important way of doing that. Full marks to East Berkshire College for promoting these excellent apprenticeship programmes."
In addition to the breakfast event, the college also invited a number of key figures from local councils and industry to become apprentices for the afternoon.
Jo Wright, head of local business at Kinnarps and president of Slough Chamber of Commerce, took up the offer of becoming a motor vehicle apprentice: "I believe it is very important to grow the skills of our young people in the area, so I was keen to support National Apprenticeship Week. Going back to college for a first-hand experience was a great way to do that," she said.
As well as the more traditional trade-based apprenticeships, the college now offers a range of apprenticeships in IT, business administration, customer service, accounting and public services.
Any business wanting to take on an apprentice can call the college on 01753 443855.
This article appeared in Reading Chronicle 18 Feb 11
Return to the main index, get more from this section or browse our News archives.
