To mark the end of National Apprenticeship Week 2023 Yasmin Qureshi MP visited Bolton College to meet two of their apprentices and the staff that support them.  

Katelyn Dodgin works at the College as a painting and decorating apprentice supported by Brian Gunshorn, the College’s painting and decorating supervisor.

Katelyn has painted a variety of murals throughout the College and she spoke at length about the benefits of Apprenticeships and her ambitions for the future.

Max Woodward is an IT apprentice at the College’s Deane Road Campus. Yasmin chatted to him about his experiences as an apprentice and the support he’s received from Bolton College throughout his training.

Yasmin, MP for Bolton South East, said: “It was an honour to meet Katelyn and Max and see first-hand how Apprenticeships have given them that first important step into wonderful careers whilst also gaining an education. Apprenticeships are so varied, covering a range of sectors, and I’m pleased to see that the College continues to champion the scheme as a successful route to a career.”

“The next Labour Government will turn the existing apprenticeship levy into a Growth and Skills Levy to drive growth and ensure our country has the skills for the future, and would establish a new body, Skills England, to oversee the national skills effort and ensure we are providing everyone with the best chance to get on in life.”

Yasmin also spoke to T Level students in the College’s cutting-edge Early Years Suite – this year, the Thursday of National Apprenticeship Week was devoted to T Levels, the gold standard qualification equivalent to three A Levels.

The visit ended in the College’s Student Experience Centre, where careers advisors, along with the University of Bolton, had been running a week long Next Steps Café, highlighting the routes available for students leaving College in the summer.

Jennifer Walker, Bolton College’s Head of Apprenticeships & Employer Engagement, said: “We’re really grateful to Yasmin for taking time out of her busy schedule to visit us.

“National Apprenticeship Week gives us a fantastic opportunity to showcase our apprentices’ professional development and burgeoning skills, and we’re so pleased that Yasmin could be a part of it.”