Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Launch of new parliamentary 'Apprentice School'

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

I am delighted that the first parliamentary training programme for apprentices will be launched next month.
The programme, which has been dubbed the 'school of apprentices', will offer 16 to 19-year-olds the chance to spend up to three days a week working in Westminster, along with two days working towards a level 3 apprenticeship (equivalent to A-level) in business administration.

MPs who recruit from the apprentice school will have to pay the minimum wage for apprentices (£2.50 an hour) but the London living wage of £8.30 an hour is recommended.

I came up with the idea for with the charity New Deal of The Mind.

The aim (of the parliamentary training programme) is to open up politics to young people from a much broader background and get them a decent qualification at the same time.
Over the past few weeks, all 650 MPs have been sent a letter asking them to take on an apprentice.
So far, eight have agreed and a further 14 have expressed a strong interest.

The website of the new Parliamentary Academy can be seen here.  You can also read THIS report in the Guardian

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