Watford MP starts new role

Watford MP Richard Harrington has been appointed as the Prime Minister’s Apprenticeship Advisor, which was confirmed on the floor of the House of Commons this afternoon. Mr Harrington, who has been Watford’s MP for more than five years and is now in his second term, made jobs and apprenticeships a key part of his work locally to ensure wider opportunities for people. This included setting up a Watford apprenticeship programme which included targeting local businesses and encouraging them to create apprenticeships, as well as organising and hosting an Apprenticeship reception which was held at Watford’s Park Inn hotel. Richard has also supported National Apprenticeship Week over the past few years and this year ran local visits with Minister Nick Boles to highlight the excellent local provision of apprenticeships. Richard worked with the Meller Educational Trust to support and deliver a new University Technical College for Watford, now based on Colonial Way, which offers young people a strong vocational education alongside traditional subjects. The curriculum for speciality subjects such as hospitality and IT are employer led, so that pupils gain real skills and are better prepared for the world of work. Since 2010 more than 3,300 apprenticeships have been created and started in the Watford constituency. There are 7,000 more people in employment locally, over 400 more businesses operating here, and unemployment has more than halved. Unemployment figures released today show that over 400 local people have moved off of jobseekers allowance in the past year. Mr Harrington’s new role will be working on driving up the amount of apprenticeships offered throughout the country in a bid to hit the government’s target of three million more apprentices by 2020. Mr Harrington added: “It’s a real honour to have been appointed. The Prime Minister knows that delivering more apprenticeships is a real passion of mine, they not only give young people a real opportunity in life, the chance to gain a qualification, learn real skills, and earn money at the same time – but they have also consistently proven their worth to businesses. “Apprenticeships aren’t always what we typically think of, they aren’t what they were thirty years ago. Apprenticeships are huge in areas such as business and management for example, these are real careers that deliver for young people and employers alike. “This is what I have said to local businesses in and around Watford over the years, and I look forward to also engaging with employers nationally to get this message across, and help deliver our three million target. I think this will really complement my work in Watford, and should enable even more local apprenticeship creation and investment for the town.” Picture courtesy of Hoss Photography