Apprenticeships were under the spotlight at Blackpool and The Fylde College when Gordon Marsden MP attended a working lunch with apprentices, local employers and College staff.

The College invited its Apprentice of the Year winners to meet the MP, giving them the opportunity to air their views about Apprenticeships and hear first hand how important they are to the UK economy.

Key topics discussed included how Apprenticeship lead not only to jobs, but also to higher education and degrees, the importance of Apprenticeships in teaching life skills as well as educating students and how major employers such as BAE Systems, Rolls Royce and Pleasure Beach repeatedly hiring apprentices means signing up for an Apprenticeship is now as good, if not better, than traditional routes.

The College also highlighted how a new initiative which involves taking would-be apprentices through an Employability Programme, where they learn interview techniques and improve their confidence, has increased the number able to go out and find an employer happy to work with an apprentice.

Michael Hoole, 24, currently studying for a National Certificate in Electrical Engineering, was named overall Apprentice of the Year at the College’s awards. He works at Forsberg Radix Ltd in Lancaster and has recently been promoted to Team Leader.

Michael is complimentary of Apprenticeships, saying:

“Forsberg have been really supportive of me through my Apprenticeship and helped me a lot with the training. I like being an apprentice – I’m doing something I enjoy and learning at the same time as making some money. I was surprised when I won the award but very pleased too. It’s nice to be recognised for all my hard work.”

Jim Finnegan of Jemcraft Fitted Bedroom and Kitchens in Thornton, who regularly employs apprentices through the College, said:

“I take on apprentices as I wanted to pass on my knowledge to others. It feels good knowing you’ve not only given someone a job, but a career.”

Commenting on his visit, Gordon Marsden MP said:

“It was great to come and talk to a broad range of apprentices going through courses with the College. Coming here to today has emphasised the crucial job the College and employers are doing in giving new apprentices a strong skills base both here at College and across Blackpool and The Fylde Coast.”