Prime Minister helps promote ‘pass the torch’ apprenticeship campaign

Prime Minister David Cameron was on hand to promote the ‘pass the torch’ apprenticeship campaign in the Thames Valley.

The torch is symbolic of the passing on of knowledge from one generation to the next and will be touring business events throughout southern England in the run up to National Apprenticeship Week.

The events will give employers the opportunity to promote their pledge to recruit apprentices and help the government make good on its commitment to create 3 million apprenticeships by 2020.

Reminiscent of the Olympic torch, the apprenticeship version started its journey at the National Apprenticeship Awards in London on the 26th January and will also be at the launch of National Apprenticeship Week in London on Monday 14th March.

Director of the National Apprenticeship Service Sue Husband said: “The Prime Minister is committed to 3 million apprenticeship starts by 2020. Good quality apprenticeships offer a fantastic way for many young people to earn as they learn whilst providing employers with the skills they need for their business.

“Both employers and their apprentices have a great opportunity to step into the spotlight during National Apprenticeship Week, to help show how an apprenticeship really can take you anywhere. National Apprenticeship Week runs from 14 to 18 March and this year will celebrate how apprenticeships can help individuals and businesses achieve their ambition of ‘rising to the top’.

“Our ambition is for the torch to encourage pledges from employers to take on apprentices – to see businesses thrive and to give young people the skills and jobs our economy needs.”

The ‘pass the torch’ apprenticeship campaign is just one of a number of ways National Apprenticeship Week is being promoted.

The January saw the launch of an online tool called the ‘Pledge-o-meter’ to enable companies to register their commitment to take on more apprenticeships and trainees.

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