Apprenticeship Week 2010

[PRESS RELEASE]

When: Monday 1 February 2010 from 3.00pm
Where: Capel Manor, Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, Middlesex EN1 4RQ – at the lime walk where apprentices will be taking part in practicals and demonstrating their skills

On the first day of National Apprenticeship Week, Conservative Shadow Skills Minister, John Hayes MP, will meet horticulture, trees and timber and forestry apprentices and their employers at Capel Manor College to learn first hand about their personal experience of the apprenticeship.

With 110,000 new entrants needed in the environmental and land-based industries over the next decade apprenticeships are becoming a top priority in developing the workforce of the future. Apprenticeships also offer a great way for the current workforce to develop their skills and knowledge, gain nationally recognised qualifications and progress in their chosen career.

This event will demonstrate how apprentices and employers already working in the environmental and land-based sector are benefitting from apprenticeship programmes whilst highlighting some of the issues and barriers to the uptake.

Media can attend the event to look round a highly successful, specialist, land-based college and hear first hand how apprenticeships are developing a professional workforce recognised for its positive impact on London’s parks and green spaces. Case studies of the apprentices and their employers will be available before the event.

Interviews:

* Conservative Shadow Skills Minister, John Hayes MP
* Horticulture and forestry apprentices and their employers from:

City Of London Corporation
Anther Tree Services
Shenley Park Trust
SERCO.

* Chief Executive of Capel Manor College, Dr Stephen Dowbiggin
* Lantra Chief Executive, Peter Martin
* Lantra National Director, Madge Moore

To attend this event, to organise interviews or for more information please call the Lantra press office on 02476 858 417 / 07824 865 970 or email England.Media@lantra.co.uk.

http://www.lantra.co.uk/