Sir Alan Sugar meets college apprentice
ESSEX entrepreneur Sir Alan Sugar has urged businesses to find an apprentice such as Lauren Nicolson and say…YOU’RE HIRED.
The multi-millionaire star of the reality show The Apprentice, who is backing a Government drive to expand apprenticeships, met the Havering College learner at a campaign event.
Lauren Nicolson, who holds the current Apprentice of the Year title at Havering College of Further and Higher Education, was invited to join Sir Alan at a breakfast briefing ahead of a major seminar promoting apprenticeships to employers.
The 23-year-old, who works for Romford solicitors F Barnes and Son, is an advanced apprentice in accounts.
Hornchurch resident Lauren was accompanied by her boss, Tracy Luke plus Havering College employer engagement manager, Nigel Hogg and college work based learning co-ordinator, Jane Elliott-Waine.
Havering College was one of only ten training providers invited to the grassroots briefing session with Sir Alan plus Cabinet Ministers
Ed Balls and John Denham.
It was followed by a seminar for around 500 employers held at London’s ExCeL Centre.
The event extolled the business benefits of employing apprentices despite the economic downturn, highlighting how investment in training to develop a highly skilled workforce is more important than ever.
Sir Alan urged employers to hire apprentices.
He said: “The process of taking on an apprentice is very easy but I want to dispel all kinds of myths that this is just cheap labour because that is absolute nonsense.
“This is about employing people who are going to learn a particular skill so they are going to become an important part of your workforce in years to come. It is an investment the employer has to make. It will pay dividends.
“Imagine moulding a young person into your company’s culture. They will do things they way you like them to be done.
“There is a social responsibility to think about young people and to try and find jobs for them. I am not saying this is a charitable thing. The apprentices themselves need to have the desire to succeed.”
Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families, Ed Balls, said: ““We want to say to young people and their parents, consider an apprenticeship. It can get you as far in business as going to university.
“We are changing the education leaving age so that every young person is going to be in school, college, work-based learning or training on an apprenticeship until the age of 18. We are changing the law this year so that every secondary school has to promote apprenticeships to young people. But this is only going to work if the private and public sector are offering apprenticeships.”
Havering College employer engagement manager Nigel Hogg said: “These were excellent events allowing employers, apprentices and training providers, such as Havering College, the opportunity to interact with the key people heading the apprenticeship campaign.
“Everyone recognises these are difficult times for employers but success is about training the people who can help your business to grow. Here at Havering College we offer advice and guidance on all aspects of apprenticeships.”
?For further information call the employer inquiries line on 01708 462800