Local MPs explore diversity of Bolton College Apprenticeships

Local MPs explore diversity of Bolton College Apprenticeships

After a week of apprentice showcases, information events and school visits, Bolton College celebrated the final day of National Apprenticeship Week by inviting Chris Green MP and Yasmin Qureshi MP to meet some exemplary apprentices. 
  
National Apprenticeship Week, now in its ninth year, is designed to celebrate Apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals of all ages – as well as businesses and the wider economy. 
  
On the morning of Friday 18th March, Chris Green MP went to visit Junaid Chapti at The Olive Tree Primary in Bolton. Junaid, 26, is currently completing a Supporting Teaching & Learning in Schools Apprenticeship Level 3  and working as a Teaching Assistant. 
  
Junaid returned to learning after being out of education for almost 10 years, but is now full of ambition to progress through the ranks and pursue teaching as a career. 19% of Level 3 Apprentices progress to Higher Education following their Apprenticeship, and Junaid plans to do just that: “My next step is to become a Higher Level Teaching Assistant, then do a Foundation Degree followed by a full Degree, and finally a PGCE.” 
  
Chris Green, MP for Bolton West, said: “Apprenticeships have come a long way in the last few years and they’re now a chance to follow a debt-free route into practically any profession.  It was great to meet Junaid and see first-hand how an Apprenticeship is giving him his first step into a fantastic career.” 
  
Apprenticeships are available in 1,500 professions, covering more than 170 industries, and on Friday afternoon Yasmin Qureshi MP went to visit two apprentices in very different job roles: Sam Brown, who is completing a Hairdressing Apprenticeship Level 3  at KW Hairdressing, and Emma Holden, who is completing a Motor Vehicle Apprenticeship Level 2 at Radcliffe Tyre & MOT Centre. 
  
Yasmin Qureshi, MP for Bolton South-East, said: “Apprenticeships are so varied and the resurgence is fantastic news for our young people, because I am conscious that university is not for everyone. Bolton has a proud industrial past and I am pleased we are once again at the forefront with our Apprenticeship schemes.” 
  
Bolton College’s dedicated Apprenticeship team has helped 21 individuals secure Apprenticeships since the beginning of February. Marie Gilluley, Chief Executive and Principal of Bolton College, said: “At Bolton College we continue to champion Apprenticeships as a successful route to a career, and National Apprenticeship Week is a fantastic opportunity for our apprentices to showcase their flourishing skills and professional development. One of our biggest priorities as a College is to help our learners improve their employability and progress to their chosen destination.”