Apprentices are 'lifeblood' (From The Northern Echo)

Apprentices are 'lifeblood'

1:55pm Monday 13th February 2012 in Stockton News

YOUNGSTERS about to leave school and enter the jobs market were advised to consider apprenticeships at an event yesterday.

David Flewker, regional director of a construction company, talked about apprenticeships to a packed hall of year 11 students from across Stockton borough.

Mr Flewker echoed comments from the North-East Chamber of Trade this week that a skills gap in the region could be filled by more youngsters training at work.

Before speaking at the Audience with the MD event, timed to coincide with Apprentices Week, Mr Flewker said he started his own career in 1982, as an apprentice at Interserve, and has worked his way up to be regional director.

He said: "In construction, apprentices are the lifeblood of the industry, and even more so in times of recession.

"Good companies continue with training programmes even during a recession, because without apprentices, when the economy recovers we won't be in a position to respond. If we don't have a skilled workforce the business will founder.

"This country cannot afford to have a generation of young people without skills. If we allow that to happen we will have a black hole in terms of skills and our ability as a country to compete."

Mr Flewker and two of Interserve's apprentices spoke about the benefits of apprenticeship programmes to pupils from Stockton's secondary schools.

Stockton Riverside College's pre-apprenticeship scheme, aimed at 16 to 18-year-olds not in education, employment or training, offers an allowance of £10 a week, with free travel, lunch and equipment.

For more details about apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship programmes at Stockton Riverside College, go to stockton.ac.uk or call 01642-678634.