Following on from my letter last week to the Chancellor in support of local college students, I had the great pleasure of visiting Carshalton College this morning to see some of the fantastic work they are doing as well as to officially launch my new apprenticeship scheme.
As part of Love Our Colleges Week, I had a tour with Nigel Powell, Head of Technical School, where I had the chance to meet with a Level 3 Electrical Apprenticeships practical class, as well as seeing some of the facilities available for carpentry, plumbing, and gas apprentices.
I also then met with Peter Mayhew-Smith (Group Principal and CEO of South Thames Colleges Group), Jason Pemberton-Billing (College Principal of Carshalton College and Merton College), and Sharon Muncie (Assistant Principal Apprenticeships) to hear about how the College has adapted to COVID as well as the challenges they are currently facing. I met with the Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills, Gillian Keegan, later this afternoon to discuss some of these issues with her, and to talk about the need for a long-term further education strategy, with college business centres supporting employers through expert advice and delivery on skills, as well as wider funding concerns.
Whilst at the College, I was delighted to agree in principle a new apprenticeship starting next year in my parliamentary offices.
Open to a local school leaver who lives or studies in my Carshalton and Wallington constituency, the Apprentice Caseworker will study a qualification in Business Administration through Carshalton College whilst working in my constituency office in Carshalton for twelve months, with frequent working on the Parliamentary Estate in Westminster.
The successful candidate will learn about the role of an MP and the relationship between Government and Parliament, whilst also developing written and oral communication skills, workplace interpersonal and organisational skills, and balancing a wide and variable portfolio of responsibilities across the apprenticeship. This will include supporting me in responding to correspondence from constituents, briefing research and speech-writing, and ad hoc project work as required.
I will announce further details about the apprenticeship in due course.