Ladder for the Black Country and Staffordshire: David Cameron's adviser full of praise for E&S apprenticeship campaign
An adviser to the Prime Minister has hailed the Express & Star's apprenticeship campaigns as 'trailblazing' and vowed to share their success around the country.
David Cameron's new apprenticeship adviser Richard Harrington said the Ladder for the Black Country and Ladder for Staffordshire schemes were 'exactly what every community should be doing'. The Watford MP, who ran his own hotel business before entering Parliament, said: "I am extremely impressed with the Express & Star's campaign.
"It seems like exactly what every community should be doing.
"I am very interested to find out more about how it works and look to share this best practice around the country."
The Express & Star's Ladder for the Black Country has created more than 650 apprenticeships from businesses large and small. And following its success, this year we set up the Ladder for Staffordshire which has created more than 100 apprenticeships.
The campaign brings together the Express & Star, training provider PTP, the Walsall-based charity The Vine Trust, and the chamber of commerces for the Black Country and Staffordshire.
It appeals to businesses of all sizes to consider taking on an apprentice and for young people to grab the opportunities. A hotline and dedicated website has been set up and training provider PTP matches youngsters with employers.
Mr Harrington said: "This trailblazing campaign is brilliant and I would urge all businesses to take on an apprentice.
"As someone who has worked in business for many years I can personally vow for their worth.
"Not only do the apprentices benefit but so do the businesses.
"There is a skills gap, particularly in the engineering and manufacturing sectors, because many firms have not had to employ new staff for many years.
"But now with many of our skilled workforce getting to retirement age there is a need to get new life into our businesses.
"From what I have seen of the Ladder campaigns, they look like the perfect fit for communities and what is encouraging is that the Black Country and Staffordshire is taking it upon itself to address this issue."
The Ladder for the Black Country and the Ladder for Staffordshire are backed by the Duke of York. For more details call 03332 409 699.
