Rebecca Harris MP has called on schools in Essex to take on young people as apprentices, in a number of positions ranging from Teaching Assistants, Business Administration and PE and School Sports support. The One By 2020 campaign, led by National Schools Training (NST), is calling on every school in the country to take on an apprentice by 2020.

Rebecca Harris MP showed his support and met school apprentices at an event for the campaign held at the Houses of Parliament, hosted by (fellow) MP Neil Carmichael.

Over the past year, NST, the leading provider of training and apprenticeships to schools across the UK, has seen over a 60% increase in uptake of apprentices being taken on by schools.

·         Essex has over 25 apprentices working in schools, with Engaines Primary School near Clacton on Sea hosting 12

·         The event was hosted by Neil Carmichael MP, Chair of the Education Select Committee and attended by MPs, Peers and Civil Servants from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills

·         Attendees were able to hear first-hand from apprentices, tutors and schools leaders about their experiences of being and taking on apprentices

·         The uptake of school apprentices through NST has increased from  1,326 in January 2015 to 2,147 in January 2016

·         NST have now delivered apprenticeships in over 2,000 schools – a campaign milestone.

Commenting, Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris, said:

“Essex schools can play a vital role in helping young people enter the world of work through providing useful and well paid apprenticeships in a range of different roles. This can play an important role in levelling the playing field in demonstrating the value of alternative routes to employment.

“The One by 2020 campaign is helping schools across the country to do this, and I would strongly encourage local schools to take part and earn the numerous workforce benefits from doing so.

Commenting, National Schools Training (NST) Director Neil Gamewell, said:

“Schools in Essex are realising the multiple benefits of taking on apprentices, and the campaign is delighted to have the support of Rebecca Harris and MPs from all parties in recognising the importance and value of apprenticeships in schools.

“Schools are realising the huge contribution an apprentice can make to school performance, and young adults are embracing this alternative route, which can often be more desirable than other options.”