Shadow Education Secretary meets local construction apprentices
09 February 2023
Shadow Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson MP has visited a Persimmon housing development in her constituency to meet some of those local young people starting their careers with an apprenticeship.
Main image:Bridget Phillipson MP with Persimmon apprentice Liam Cornell and Persimmon Apprentice Manager Michael Johnson
To mark National Apprenticeship Week in England and Wales, the MP for Houghton and Sunderland South was given a tour of Persimmon’s Herrington Grange development in Houghton-le-Spring where she was introduced to some of the company’s bricklaying and carpentry apprentices.
With National Apprenticeship Week underway, Labour’s Education spokesperson heard from three of the apprentices honing their skills on site and from Persimmon’s Regional Apprentice Manager on how the company engages with colleges across the region.
Of its 500 apprentices and trainees, Persimmon currently has 55 apprentices in the North East with 14 based in Durham. Last year the company launched its Target 50 initiative to recruit an additional 50 female apprentices in construction facing roles.
Above: Bridget Phillipson MP with Persimmon apprentice John Scott and Persimmon Apprentice Manager Michael Johnson
Bridget Phillipson MP said: “it was good to see regeneration in action at Persimmon’s new brownfield development, Herrington Grange.
“Labour is the party of homeownership – our comprehensive plan will help first-time buyers onto the ladder and target a homeownership rate of 70%, with 1.5 million new homeowners.
“I really enjoyed hearing from local apprentices on the site. Boosting Britain’s skills will be a national mission for Labour. That’s why the next Labour government will deliver more training opportunities so people can gain new skills, access better jobs and grow our economy.”
Ed Alder, Managing Director for Persimmon Durham added: “We were delighted to host the Shadow Education Secretary and introduce her to some of our local apprentices.
“As a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer, we’re proud of the wide range of exciting opportunities we provide young people in the North East.
“Working closely with policy makers as well as training provides is absolutely vital to this and we look forward to helping many more young people develop the skills they need to embark upon one of the many fulfilling careers construction has to offer.”
