Member Article

MP backs apprenticeship drive

Hexham MP Guy Opperman has thrown his weight behind a drive to encourage students to think about apprenticeships as a route into a career in engineering.

He visited the town’s Queen Elizabeth High School during National Apprenticeship Week, where Northumberland’s largest manufacturing employer – chipboard maker EGGER UK – and the Rolls Royce North East Training Centre spoke at a special assembly to around 200 students aged between 15 and 17.

“Queen Elizabeth High School alone has 100 GCSE students taking engineering, with another 20 or 30 at A Level. It is great to see local employers working with the school to alert these young people to the wide range of opportunities that are available,” said Mr Opperman.

“EGGER has just been voted top manufacturer in the Tyneside & Northumberland Business Awards, and over recent years I have seen many of their apprentices go on to promising careers within this major European business.

“But I would also urge other companies – no matter how small – to take advantage of the Government support that is available to them and introduce apprenticeship schemes of their own. And, importantly, to let schools know about them!”

EGGER recruitment coordinator Karen Povey added: “We work very closely with local schools to showcase the career opportunities available right on their doorstep. The majority of EGGER’s apprentices are recruited from within Tynedale, and this year we have six vacancies we are looking to fill in electrical engineering, business administration and mechanical engineering.

“As well as supporting initiatives such as National Apprenticeship Week, we are also holding our own apprentice open day at our Hexham site – an annual event that last year attracted 170 people.”

EGGER’s apprentice open day is on Thursday March 26 between 3.30 and 6.30 pm. For more information and to reserve a place contact the HR department on 01434 613361 or email jobs.uk@egger.com

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by publicrelations consultancy.com .