Skills Academy Chief Executive Finds Cross-Party Support
Milton Keynes (UK), March 2013 - In the run-up to last week's National Apprenticeship Week, Peter Sherry, chief executive of the National Skills Academy for Logistics, wrote to around 650 MPs to highlight the importance of apprenticeships and pre-employment training. "The goal", says Sherry, "was to arrange as many meetings with MPs as possible. MPs are busy, busy people, and although this is an important issue, I didn't feel that all of them would be aware of how we can help people in their constituencies. So although this is a massive task, it's also a vital one."
Unemployment may be falling overall, but not for the young: The number of unemployed aged 15 to 24 rose by 35% between 2008 and 2011.
Sherry's aim is to ensure that there is local awareness of the National Skills Academy for Logistics' work. With unemployment amongst the young rising in many areas, the Skills Academy's apprenticeships and pre-employment training offer a real route to help people get their foot on the first rung on the career ladder.
"Few people are as motivated as MPs about the workforce in their local area - and few are as well motivated to help the Academy connect with employers in the area," says Sherry. "Clearly, I'm in the early days of a large process, but response so far has been very enthusiastic. The thing that has struck me most of all is the non-political way in which MPs are approaching apprenticeships. It's one of the few issues that I've seen everyone get behind."
Peter Sherry is in discussions with Paul Uppal, the Member of Parliament for Wolverhampton South West; Martin Vickers, MP for Cleethorpes; John Pugh, MP for Southport; and Dave Watts, MP for St Helens North - and has many more meetings scheduled with other MPs.
"I'm meeting with MPs either in Westminster or in their constituencies," explains Sherry. "To be relevant, it's vital that apprenticeships are employer led and that they support the needs of businesses in the local community. Working with the nation's MPs ensures that each constituency - and the businesses within it - are approached consistently and that action is taken based on local need."
Peter Sherry has also contacted every board member of every Local Enterprise Partnership and is also seeking to forge partnerships with them.
