PM meets apprentices

THERE’S someone at the door . . . Christopher Taylor (left) and some of the nation’s top apprentices pay a visit to No.10

ROYTON decorator Christopher Taylor went to 10 Downing Street to extol the virtues of being an apprentice.

The 21-year-old top trainee made the journey as part of a delegation of apprentices invited by Prime Minister Gordon Brown to tell him about the benefits of a scheme which enabled them to earn as they learn.

Christopher began his apprenticeship in 2004 with Royton firm Dave Luck Ltd, when he was a student at Oldham College. His eagerness and determination to succeed resulted in Christopher being named Apprentice of the Year in 2007, and shortly after completing his apprenticeship he was promoted to site foreman.

Funded by the Learning and Skills Council, apprenticeships form a key part of the Prime Minister’s plans for increasing the skills of the nation’s workforce by giving people the opportunity to gain nationally-recognised qualifications while gaining practical experience.

A cash injection of £140 million, announced by Brown, to expand the scheme will take the number of apprentices in the nation to more than 250,000 by 2010.

During his visit to number 10, Christopher spoke to the Prime Minister about the benefits of education and training.

Liz Davis, National Apprenticeship Service project director at the Learning and Skills Council’s North-West office, said Christopher was a great ambassador for apprenticeships.

To find out more, visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk