Colin Valley MP Jason McCartney has spent the day learning the building trade the practical way to help celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2012. Jason became an 'apprentice' for the day with Federation of Master Builders' (FMB) member company Peter Armitage Ltd in Huddersfield.

Jason, joined by FMB Regional Director Phil Parkinson, shadowed Peter Armitage’s apprentice Luke Kowalski, under the supervision of the company’s director John Armitage. Jason and Phil got stuck in laying bricks on a training wall at the company’s premises in Milnsbridge, Huddersfield.

Jason's visit took place as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2012 which is organised by the National Apprenticeship Service between 6th and 10th February to celebrate the country’s apprentices and the benefits they bring to business.

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Jason said: "It was great to meet Luke, one of the 310 new apprentices in my constituency, and to see his bricklaying skills. The apprenticeship scheme makes sense for local businesses and the apprentices themselves."

Phil Parkinson, FMB Regional Director for Yorkshire and Trent, said: "Apprenticeships are a win-win situation for employers and individuals and spending the day as an apprentice has helped me see some of these benefits firsthand. However in the current climate it’s hard for anyone to know what the future holds and to anticipate workloads, which makes taking on an apprentice very difficult. The Government's proposal of a £1,500 incentive payment for small employers is very welcome, but it won’t be enough to persuade many new businesses to hire an apprentice. Instead the Government should extend the eligibility criteria and allow small businesses with a recent history of employing apprentices to benefit as well."

(CD/DW)