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MP finds leisure centre apprenticeships in good health

20/02/2012

MP Damian Hinds at the Taro Leisure Centre

East Hampshire MP Damian Hinds found an apprenticeship scheme run in a Petersfield leisure centre to be in fine health when he visited last week.
 
Mr Hinds toured the Taro Leisure Centre, in Penns Place, to learn more about its successful apprenticeship scheme and to promote National Apprenticeship Week.
 
Damian Hinds MP said:  "Apprenticeships are growing in popularity both nationally and here in East Hampshire.  In National Apprenticeships Week I was keen to meet some of the young people building up their skills, and the employers investing in them.  Apprenticeships offer a quality-controlled, structured way to develop your skills, and it was great to hear how motivated these young people are – and how pleased DC Leisure and other organisations are.  I hope more local firms will consider taking on an apprentice.  A good first step is to visit apprenticeships.org.uk”
 
He chatted with some of the eight young people employed who have chosen to start their careers at the centre, including 17-year-old Sam Sawkins who has completed a personal training qualification at the centre since joining eight months ago. 
 
Sam, from Haslemere, said: "I am training on the job and that gives you experience in dealing with customers, you get more confidence and you learn more about the job.
 
"I would say to other people thinking about apprenticeships – ‘go for it’. You learn so much more and you earn money at the same time.”
 
Chris Gallagher, of DC Leisure, who runs the centre, welcomed the MP alongside representatives from East Hampshire District Council, the centre’s owners, and Lifetime, a national company which places apprentices with businesses.
 
Mr Gallagher said DC leisure has always seen the benefits of employing apprentices and training on the job.
 
"Most of our new recruits tend to come out of college looking to get into the leisure industry. Most of our apprentices already have an interest in the industry and that is a good way to start.
 
"We encourage internal promotion and development through the ranks here so becoming an apprentice is a great way for young people to get their careers off the ground.”
 
Ben Buckland, a regional trainer with Lifetime, said: "Lifetime Training has had a strong working relationship with DC Leisure for many years, which has provided a solid and progressive platform for young people to realise their career ambitions through the apprenticeship programme.”
 
Apprenticeships are proving increasingly popular among young people looking for employment and local businesses, and not just those in manufacturing, where apprenticeships have traditionally been found.
Increasingly modern apprenticeships can provide opportunities across a wide range of industries, including in service, the dominant sector in East Hampshire’s economy.
 
The scheme is also supported by the government which is offering smaller companies, of 250 staff or fewer, an incentive of £1,500 the first time they take on an apprentice aged between 16-24.