As local Member of Parliament I think it important to support our town's future and so our young people.
I recently visited Clarkson Evans to meet with their electrical apprentices helping build Crawley's newest neighbourhood, Forge Wood.
The company has launched its latest recruitment drive for local apprentices. They are holding an open day at their Crawley site, at the Gatwick International Distribution Centre (off Cobham Way) from 3pm to 6pm on Thursday 16th June. If you are interested in attending, please register via: crawley@clarksonevans.co.uk
During National Apprenticeship Week in March I welcomed the Energy Minister, Lord Bourne, to EDF Energy in Crawley. We met with some of the firm’s 230 apprentices who are on their year-long smart metering apprenticeship scheme. This initiative helps equip apprentices with skills including technical knowledge in order to secure a career in the energy industry.
It is because of such schemes that the number of Crawley apprenticeships has risen to almost 4,200 since 2010. Nationally, the Government are committed to ensuring the creation of 3 million apprenticeships by 2020.
While I hosted the Crawley Apprenticeship & Jobs Fair in March I want to ensure that more and more of the apprentices taken on by these successful companies in the local area actually come from Crawley schools. For a number of such roles, young people will need skills in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).
Over the weekend I went along to STEM in the Park at the Memorial Gardens in the town centre.
It was great to see the interest among our town’s young people. The event provided a friendly but enthusiastic environment for them to develop understanding of STEM subjects – as well as the chance to take part in hands-on activities.
Scientists from Crawley-based CGG were on hand to display advanced technology involved in geophysics – also on display were a solar-powered electric car and a robot elephant!
Among the other organisations taking part were Manor Green College, Siemens, Northbrook College, the British Society of Geomorphology and the Royal Veterinary College.
My thanks to all involved in putting together such an informative and interesting day.