Investing in our young people

Today Rachel Reeves MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Department of Work & Pensions came to Church Hill.

I wanted her to see how a local school and businesses were investing in young people to help them train and gain qualifications to put them in good stead for their future.  With Redditch having higher levels of youth unemployment than the national or county average, more must be done to ensure young people are not left behind during this so called economic recovery.

First of all, I was delighted to take her to Cutting Edge to meet Zoe Gardner and her team.  Zoe has recently picked up a NEW College Award for training and development of her staff, which has certainly been well earned over the years.

It was good to see two Arrowvale pupils who had just completed work experience at Cutting Edge - something Zoe also offers to the college and a number of young people directly.  With work experience no longer being a compulsory element for schools, I was pleased to hear that Arrowvale still ensure year 10 do this.  As Zoe said, how will the young people know whether they want to work in a salon if they cannot experience it first.

Many of the Cutting Edge stylists choose an apprenticeship so that they can earn while they learn, including 'Little Laura' who has been with Zoe for a few years now, originally from Arrowvale, where they offer vocational courses along with the tradition subjects.  Laura left school on the Friday and started her apprenticeship on the Monday. 

After the salon, Rachel joined Hayward Wright, one of our local Accountants, Inkberrow Design Centre (IDC) - textiles training centre, Cutting Edge and Arrowvale at St Andrews to discuss their issues over a cup of tea.

These employers are just a small sample of best practice in Redditch.  Hayward Wright currently have three apprentices, one of whom came along and their work experience placement.  This local firm are very impressive, offering apprentices their AAT qualification and Danielle who manages the apprentices, already a qualified accountant at 22 years old.  IDC have a million and one projects at any one time, aiming to improve our town, yet today we were focusing on another Rachel, one of the young mums who has gained City & Guilds qualifications at IDC.  Arrowvale had their first apprentice who works at the school who has completed her Business Administration qualification and has now been employed at the school.

A common issue that came up for employers is the need for more funding, support and information for employers in regards to apprenticeships.  They were concerned about imminent government changes to apprenticeships which will see support pulled and believed it would put employers off taking apprentices in the future.

Finally Rachel joined us on the doorstep in Church Hill to support Nina Woodford the Labour candidate on the 17th July.  Redditch Borough Council have successfully worked in partnership with businesses to create 50 new apprenticeships in Redditch.  When people ask what are the differences between Labour and the Conservative Party, I remind them that Redditch Conservative Councillors voted against our apprenticeship scheme and an extra Labour Councillor will help prioritise youth employment rather than shy away from it.

Next year, if enough people vote Labour in the general election Labour will ensure long-term unemployed young people will have a job and this will be funded through a bankers bonus tax. 
I think Rachel more than got the message that in Redditch we have some perfect examples of employers taking on their responsibility, supported by a Labour Council.  We all want more for our
young people and I want a government that will do more too.