Farron Meets Local Construction Apprentices

Westmorland and Lonsdale MP Tim Farron has met with local apprentices in Kendal to find out about the opportunities available for young people entering the construction industry.

Tim met staff from AJM Decorating at a site visit organised by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). AJM Decorating provides painting and decorating services across to commercial, domestic and house building sites across Cumbria, Lancashire, North Yorkshire and Southern Scotland. The company employs 41 decorators with 3 new apprentices on board for the 2015/16 academic years. In 2011 AJM achieved CITB's Apprenticeship Commitment and Development certification.

Tim visited The Beeches, a Story Homes development of 76 new homes in Kendal which is due to be completed this summer.

During the visit Tim pledged his support to encouraging more young people to consider a career in construction. Tim heard from AJM Decorating's apprentices - George Lacey, Jake Archer and Stefan Chapple- about the range of opportunities available when undertaking apprenticeships, from gaining NVQs to achieving specialist decorative qualifications.

Tim said: "It's wonderful to hear that local businesses such as AJM Decorating are busy, and using their position in the local community to train up the next generation of workers.

"There are so many high-quality, skilled jobs in this sector and apprenticeships can provide a perfect pathway for employers and employees alike.

"Increasing the number of construction apprentices in our region is incredibly important to the industry and I will continue working with CITB in backing apprenticeships.

"Thanks to pressure from the Lib Dems, over 2 million apprenticeships were created nationally during the coalition, which was almost 80% higher than under the previous Labour government. In my constituency of Westmorland and Lonsdale, 3280 apprenticeships were created between 2010-2015. Our challenge now is to ensure that that continues."

Adrian Morris, managing director of AJM Decorating, commented: "I hope Mr Farron enjoyed his visit to this exciting project - it's reassuring to know the leader of the Liberal Democrats is showing his support for the future of apprentices."

Mick Hamill, regional delivery manager for CITB in the North West commented: "Construction apprenticeships are vitally important to the local economy and provide a wide range of exciting opportunities for young people in Cumbria. I hope Mr Farron's visit will encourage other employers in the region to support apprenticeship training and help develop the industry's future workforce."