Stockton Riverside College

Teenager becomes MP’s first apprentice

Published on 17/03/2010 - Archived on 10/07/2010

Working as a part-time volunteer in a local Parliamentary office has paid dividends for Calum Watson, 19, from Thornaby. The teenager made such a good impression on his boss, MP Dari Taylor, that she has offered him a full-time job as her very first apprentice.

Taking up his role in the Constituency Office for Stockton South in Thornaby, Calum has become one of a team of three support staff who keep the office running like clockwork.

With the post alone taking two and a half hours to open and sort every morning, along with organising volunteers, answering phone calls, helping members of the public, liaising with the Westminster office and making sure that Dari has all her necessary documents in order, Calum and the team certainly have their work cut out.

Yet he is taking it all in his stride and is happy to be working as an apprentice doing something that he sees as much more than ‘just a job’.

“I’ve learned so many new things already. I didn’t realise just how interesting politics actually is. I had originally intended to try and get an administration job in the police force, but got knocked back at the interview stage. My grandfather, Les, used to work in this Parliamentary office as a volunteer and I knew how busy things get. So I offered to lend Dari’s team a hand.

“Sadly my grandfather passed away, but I feel that I can carry on his good work whilst building my own career through an Apprenticeship. Who would have thought that offering my services here as a volunteer for a few hours a week would lead to such an exciting job opportunity?

“Now I’m earning a wage, working towards recognised qualifications in Business and Administration with support from Stockton Riverside College one day a week, and gaining unique work experience that will stand me in good stead for the rest of my life,” explained Calum.

Dari is also pleased to be helping Calum launch his career. She said: “There are days in the office when people knock on the door all day long. They want to talk to someone about issues which they feel very passionately about. So it goes without saying that it takes a real ‘people person’ to be part of such a small and busy team and interact with the public on so many different levels. Calum’s gentle and calm nature fits the bill perfectly.

“On top of this Calum needs to be able to forward enquiries to the right person in the office, as well as knowing which need an urgent response. He also has to have a good understanding about complex issues when it comes to collating letters, especially when we liaise with so many varied groups including young people, the retired and those concerned with climate change and child poverty.

“Apprenticeships are a key route to building the national skills base and it is vital that we continue to invest in people and their skills. Government is dedicated to significant growth in Apprenticeships for young people and adults and we have committed to increasing spending on Apprentices in 2009/10 to over £1 billion,” she continued.

Delivery of Apprenticeships including advising employers, engaging with learner organisations, providing funding for Apprenticeship training and a web-based Apprenticeship vacancies system, is the responsibility of the National Apprenticeship Service.

John Wayman, regional director, National Apprenticeship Service, explained: “Over 130,000 employers are now offering Apprenticeship places and there are over 190 different types of Apprenticeship available across 80 industry sectors.

“Apprenticeships are definitely the way forward and are good for business too. In fact, recent research revealed that 82% of people in the North East are more likely to use a business if it offers Apprenticeships to young people,” he continued.

For more information on any of the courses on offer at Stockton Riverside College contact course information on 01642 865566 or visit the website at www.stockton.ac.uk

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