Apprentices essential to helpfirms survive - MP
APPRENTICESHIPS are key for Wakefield's struggling businesses to survive the economic downturn – Ed Balls has said.
The Schools Secretary launched a drive to get city employers to take on apprentices.
And the MP for Normanton met up with young apprentices working for Wakefield Council at Newton Bar.
Mr Balls said: "Wakefield Council is doing a great job to boost the number of apprenticeships available in our area. Council staff have seen for themselves the benefits that enthusiastic and hard-working young people can bring to a job.
"In the current downturn, creating opportunities for apprentices is key to keeping people in jobs and strengthening our local businesses and public services."
There are currently around 1,500 apprentices in Wakefield working with organisations including the Council, Wakefield and District Housing and West Yorkshire Police.
Danny Huscroft is a second-year administration apprentice.
He said: "Being an apprentice means that you continue to learn as you earn money and this option has suited me well. The council is a good employer and I've been fortunate enough to get a new job with them that is a promotion. I'd recommend any young person to think about undertaking an apprenticeship."
Mr Balls said that soon more apprenticeships will be available and that he would like to see the NHS and schools take on more.
He is also working on raising awareness of apprenticeships.
Mr Balls said: "I was struck by how many of the apprentices I met hadn't heard about apprenticeship opportunities at school. That's something we're working to change nationally, but I was delighted that all the apprentices said they would be happy to go into local schools to tell young people about how they got involved."
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Weather for Wakefield
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 12 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 21 C
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Wind direction: North east
