FOLLOWING on from two successful jobs fairs in 2012 and 2013, Redditch MP Karen Lumley is now planning to host an Apprenticeships and Skills Fair on Friday, July 4 from 10am until 4pm in the Kingfisher's Centre's Worcester Square.

Mrs Lumley is keen to promote apprenticeship opportunities in the area and to encourage young people to consider an apprenticeship Post 16 as an alternative to college or university.

At the event local and regional training providers and high profile businesses have agreed to exhibit apprenticeship opportunities offered by them and to give advice. This is also a chance to speak to employers who are recruiting local apprentices and to meet those who have already started along the apprenticeship path.

Some of the organisations taking part include NEW College, South & City College Birmingham, Worcester College of Technology, Warwickshire College, The Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), some major banks, local manufacturing businesses, Jaguar Land Rover, Birmingham Airport and McDonald’s

Full details and a current list of businesses and organisations will soon be available on Karen’s website.

Mrs Lumley said: “As was announced in the Queen’s Speech, the Government plans to increase the number of apprentices to two million by the end of this Parliament. Apprenticeships are popular with young people and that popularity is growing. Most importantly, they are also popular with employers with more than 95 per cent of organisations that employ an apprentice reporting that they are reaping the benefits.

"When I was elected, the total number of people in Redditch claiming Job Seeker's Allowance was far too high – since then there has been a fall of over 1,000 in the number of claimants with 350 fewer young people claiming. It is particularly important that we get Redditch's young people into work.

"I’m passionate about helping local people secure employment as well as to help businesses and organisations secure the staff they need. I was really proud of the fact that the two jobs fairs I have hosted previously have truly changed the lives of some of my constituents and I hope to be able to do this for young people in Redditch at my Apprenticeships Fair."