AN MP has been trying out the world of apprenticeships for herself in support of National Apprenticeship Week.
Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage spent a morning at Blitz photography in the town this week, and will be visiting defence technology firm QinetiQ tomorrow to speak to apprentices there.
Ms Dinenage says the reason she has chosen two very different places to visit is to showcase the wide variety of apprenticeships on offer.
She said: ‘It’s so important for MPs to do their bit to demonstrate the variety of apprenticeships out there.
‘There are so many different types, from so many walks of life.
‘I went to work in a photographic studio as it’s quite an unusual place to have an apprentice.’
While at Blitz Ms Dinenage learned how to check the lighting levels, move photographic equipment and to upload the pictures onto the computer for the customer to look at.
‘You’d never think there was as technological as it is, but there’s so much that’s done on the computer.
‘And actually that’s where Hannah, Steve’s apprentice, helps his business as she knows a lot about that side of it.
‘Apprenticeships are a fantastic way for young people to learn in a working environment but they also bring their own knowledge, youth and enthusiasm to the people they’re working for, so everyone benefits.’
Steve Reid, who launched Blitz at the end of last year, says having his apprentice Hannah Riches working for him has helped his business get off the ground.
And he said he hopes to take on a second apprentice, should his business grow big enough to fund one.
He added: ‘That would give us the flexibility to take on a bit more.
‘Whether we’ll be as lucky as we were when we took on Hannah I don’t know. Obviously there are challenges, as we have to get these young people work ready.’
Hannah has found her niche with photo editing, and is completing an NVQ in customer service as part of her photography apprenticeship.
Steve added: ‘She is seriously good at photo editing, so that could be the career for her.
‘She didn’t get on too well in the classroom, but now she’s earning while working.
‘She’s become an invaluable part of the team already.’
See apprenticeships.org.uk.
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