ALAN MAK: Apprenticeships and degrees should be seen as equally valuable

Next week businesses, schools, colleges and young people will come together for the 11th National Apprenticeships Week.

They will be celebrating the success of apprenticeships, which have helped millions of school-leavers into a great career.

On Friday, March 9, I’ll be hosting my third annual Havant Jobs, Apprenticeships and Careers Fair at Havant Leisure Centre, backed by The News, from 10am to 3pm.

Free for anyone living in the Havant constituency, attendees will have the chance to discuss apprenticeships with over 50 employers, including local engineering firm Cougar Automation, defence contractor Lockheed Martin and Specsavers opticians, as well seeing educational programmes offered by Chichester University and Highbury College.

In addition, hundreds of jobs will be available from organisations in a range of sectors including the armed forces, retail and catering. Specialist CV and interview technique workshops will also be run by the National Careers Service, no appointment is needed.

I’m committed to boosting apprenticeships, as they not only give young people the opportunity to learn a valuable skill while earning at the same time, they also raise the productivity of businesses.

I believe every young person leaving school should view an apprenticeship or going to university in equal merit.

In Westminster I’m co-chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Apprenticeships, a cross-party group that is looking at ways to help the Government reach their target of three million more apprenticeships by 2020.

Locally, I visit businesses that employ apprentices, and recently I met some of the apprentices from Liberty Gas, who are based in Langstone Technology Park, hearing how the firm’s scheme is helping give young people the skills to succeed in the future.

National Apprenticeships Week is all about showing how apprenticeships work, and promoting them as a real career opportunity.

So if you, a family member, or a friend wants to find out more about how to get onto an apprenticeship scheme with one of our excellent local employers I encourage you to come my third Havant Jobs, Apprenticeships and Careers Fair to find out more.