Conservative Party Parliamentary Candidate Graham Stuart, has an excellent record of supporting apprentices across Beverley and Holderness.
In April, Graham showcased the exciting range of apprenticeship opportunities available to students at East Riding College to the Minister for Apprenticeships, Luke Hall. They hosted a roundtable which was attended by some of the College’s apprentices, representatives from business groups including Humberside Engineering Training Association, and staff from East Riding College including its Principal, Danny Metters.
Following their discussion, Graham and Minister Hall received a tour of the state-of-the-art facilities available at the College. This included a visit to the Yorkshire and Humber Institute of Technology, where students benefit from specialist equipment and expert tutors to help them become high quality engineers and technicians. In 2019 the Government announced they would deliver 20 Institutes of Technology by the end of 2024, so the Minister was delighted to see first-hand the excellent teaching taking place in one at the heart of Beverley.
Graham has also promoted the importance of apprentices in Parliament. To mark National Apprenticeship Week, Graham met Callum Lax and Spencer Chappel Spain who made the journey down from Beverley with their proud parents to mark the important week.
Spencer is six months into his apprenticeship at The Altisidora in Bishop Burton, where he is learning key skills such as customer service. He recommended their delicious Mac and Cheese, which Graham promised to try next time he was in the village. Callum is an apprentice at the King’s Head in Beverley and is enjoying his work in the kitchen where he is learning how to make mouthwatering food such as their hand stretched pizza.
Graham is pleased that the Government recognises the importance of apprentices as an opportunity for young people to learn vital skills to help them thrive. In the 2022/23 academic year there were 752,150 people participating in an apprenticeship and approximately 70% of occupations are now available via apprenticeships. This is possible thanks to the Government investing £3.8 billion more in further education and skills over the last 5 years, including £60 million to boost the take up of apprenticeships by small businesses.
Luke Hall, Minister of State for Skills, Apprenticeships and Higher Education commented: "The Government is revolutionising our apprenticeship system and expanding them so they are available in nearly 70% of occupations. I am grateful to Graham for bringing together some of Beverley’s best apprentices and businesses across industries from accountancy to engineering to discuss what has worked well and how we can build on this success.”
Callum Lax, an apprentice at the King’s Head in Beverley, said: “It was fantastic to travel down to Parliament to meet Graham and tell him about the start of my apprenticeship at the King’s Head. My apprenticeship has increased my confidence speaking to new people and taught me the importance of teamwork as we work together to give our customers the best experience possible. I look forward to seeing Graham at the King’s Head soon and making him a delicious hand stretched pizza.”
Graham Stuart, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Beverley and Holderness, said, “Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to earn, learn and try a new career path. That’s why I am proud to champion our area’s brilliant apprentices at every opportunity, whether it be welcoming them to Parliament or showcasing the excellent East Riding College to the Education Minister. Whether you want to be an engineer or hairdresser, there is an apprenticeship for you and if I am re-elected I will continue to work with the Government, colleges and local businesses to expand the number of opportunities which will benefit people in Beverley and Holderness.”
