Two UCATT apprentices from Sheffield were at the centre stage of Labour Party Conference when the Government reaffirmed and strengthened their support for apprenticeships.

The two apprentices Chris Battisson, 19, and Matt Nicholson, 18, are both employed by Kier Sheffield on local authority maintenance projects, both are in their final year of a three year apprenticeship.

Chris and Matt met PM Gordon Brown and were able to tell him about how the opportunity to undertake an apprenticeship was providing them with lifelong skills. Following their meeting with the Prime Minister they were also introduced to the whole Labour Party conference during the debate on the economy.

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In recent months the Government has announced a major expansion of apprentices, particularly in construction. Currently an extra 7,000 construction apprentices are being created and in total across all industries an additional 20,000 places will be created.

The expansion in apprentices will be met by changes in the Government’s procurement rules which will require all companies who undertake Government contracts to train apprentices.

Alan Ritchie, General Secretary of construction union UCATT, said: "Chris and Matt are excellent examples of how by undertaking an apprenticeship young people can acquire skills for life. The Government’s policies, which were originally proposed by UCATT, will make apprenticeship training a reality for thousands more young people. In all workplaces apprentices must become the norm not the exception."

(CD/BMcC)