Education, Skills and Apprenticeships

Harlow MP Robert Halfon welcomes massive rise in number of apprentices working in Harlow and across the country

Published on 1 December 2011

HARLOW MP Robert Halfon has described official figures which show a massive rise in the number of apprentices being taken on as "fantastic news". 

The statistics show that in Harlow alone the number of apprentices appointed since there has been a Conservative-led Government has rocketed by 73 per cent - from 450 in 2009-10 to a provisional figure of 780 for 2010-11. This is above the national average increase of 58 per cent. 

Nationally the total number of apprentices rose from 279,700 in 2009-10 to a provisional level of 442,700 in 2010-11. 

Mr Halfon said: "This is fantastic news and clearly shows that businesses not just locally but across the country are seeing the benefits there are in having apprentices working in their workplaces." 

Mr Halfon is a keen supporter of apprentices and apprenticeships. 

Recently, with the continued support of Harlow College, he appointed his second apprentice to work with him in his House of Commons office. 

He was the first MP to appoint an apprentice to work in Parliament.

Mr Halfon's efforts to highlight the benefits of apprentices continue with a campaign to bring a University Technical College to Harlow. This would be new 'apprentice school' which would focus on medical technology and engineering. 

Mr Halfon has also delivered the Apprentice Card - an NUS card which gives financial benefits and high street discounts to apprentices to put them on an equal playing field with university students, and he founded the Parliamentary Academy - an apprentice school in Parliament giving young people from ordinary backgrounds the chance to earn a decent wage and get a foot on the career ladder in politics. 

Mr Halfon's campaigning work was recently acknowledged in the House of Commons by Employment Minister Chris Grayling who paid tribute to Mr Halfon's work. 

He said: "Robert Halfon is a model example of how an individual member of Parliament can make a real difference, by identifying an issue where they can transform people's prospects.

"His work on apprenticeships is a credit to him, and a credit to this House."

Harlow MP Robert Halfon calls on the Government to bring a new apprentice school to Harlow

Published on 3 November 2011

HARLOW MP Robert Halfon has underlined the case for Harlow to have a University Technical College. 

During a special Commons debate, he said: "Although university technology colleges have not yet received the same media attention as free schools and the huge expansion of the academy programme, they are an equally profound reform of our school system. 

Already 18 UTCs have received Government support.They are being supported by some 130 companies. Government funding has been allocated for 24 UTCs. 

Mr Halfon hopes that a Harlow bid will be successful in the next wave. 

Mr Halfon said: "Harlow is a new town. It was built after the Second World War with a vision to change people's lives and create jobs and growth, but its potential is still unfulfilled. 

"School results have risen sharply over the past ten years. Most secondary schools now perform around the national average and this year two secondary schools became academies. 

"Harlow College is now widely recognised as one of the best further education colleges in the country, with pass rates exceeding 99.5 per cent.

"Anglia Ruskin university opened in the town this term a campus, which now has approximately 200 students studying for degrees. 

"Wherever I go in Harlow parents are delighted with the idea of a new apprentice school which is exactly what it is, and they have no ideological objections." 

He added that Harlow's bid for a UTC is not opposed by the local state schools and both Harlow Council and Essex County Council have said they support UTCs, and would like to see a UTC in Harlow. 

A Harlow bid for a UTC will now feature the enterprise zone status which has been given to the town.

Mr Halfon added: "Anglia Ruskin is broadening its university courses to meet the needs of the emerging 'MedTech' enterprise zone with firms like Bupa Home Healthcare. Harlow Council is delivering the proposed 'MedTech' campus - a specialised industrial estate, which will employ the highly skilled technicians that a UTC provides.

"Harlow already has several biotech and pharmaceutical firms, such as GlaxoSmithKline, and is in the London-Cambridge science corridor. 

"We have several strong local hospitals - primarily Princess Alexandra Hospital and the Rivers private hospital in Sawbridgeworth. 

"The Health Protection Agency is considering a move to Harlow, partly because of its own financial position, and partly because of the enterprise zone. I hope that in due course it too will have a need for medical technicians and engineers. 

"In the second wave of UTC applications we hope to include medical technology as one of the Harlow specialisms, and to submit an even stronger bid."

Harlow MP Robert Halfon welcomes pupil premium funding boost for local schools

Published on 18 October 2011

HARLOW schools are to receive an extra £1m in funding thanks to the new Pupil Premium for children on free school meals. 

The figure - £1,012,112 - has been finalised because there are 2,074 children on free school meals in the Harlow constituency. 

The pupil premium for 2011-12 is allocated to local authorities and schools with pupils known to be eligible for free school meals in Year Groups R to Year 11 as recorded on the January 2011 School Census, Pupil Referral Unit Census and Alternative Provision Census. 

Each pupil known to be eligible for free school meals attracts £488 of funding which will go to the school or academy via the local authority. 

Mr Halfon said: "Children from low income families generally do not achieve as well as those from more advantaged backgrounds. This Premium will support them in reaching their potential and help schools reduce educational inequalities." 

He added: "This funding is a massive boost for our local schools, and our children who deserve the best possible start in life."

Harlow MP Robert Halfon appoints second apprentice

Published on 18 October 2011

HARLOW MP Robert Halfon has appointed a second apprentice to work in his House of Commons office. 

Louis Luck studied History, Politics and Religious Studies at A-Level and achieved ABC in his final exams. 

Mr Halfon said: "Since I was elected to the House of Commons I have campaigned long and hard to improve apprenticeships in our country. 

"For this reason I employed the first ever MP’s Apprentice (Andy Huckle) and now am proud to have the second apprentice (Louis Luck). 

"Louis, from Harlow College, is an outstanding individual who went through a gruelling college interview process." 

Louis will be completing a Level 3 NVQ in Business Administration and will be working with Mr Halfon in the House of Commons Monday to Wednesday, studying in Harlow College on Thursdays, and working with Mr Halfon in Harlow on Fridays. 

Mr Halfon added: "Apprenticeships are not just about economic efficiency but about social justice as they give young people the chance to get on the conveyor belt to skills, jobs, and opportunities.

"As well as hiring an apprentice I have created with the NUS a national Apprentice Card, which gives apprentices that same financial benefits that graduates get. This is set to include high street discounts, and cheaper bank accounts." 

Mr Halfon will shortly launch the Parliamentary Academy for Apprentices, with the charity New Deal of the Mind. This will enable every MP to have an apprentice if they want. 

Mr Halfon said: "I congratulate Harlow College and Essex County Council for their groundbreaking apprentice scheme, and thank Mr Dean Barclay who has given a financial contribution to support Louis Luck this year. 

"It is no accident that this apprenticeship scheme has been praised by Government Ministers. Harlow College has even won praise from the Prime Minister, David Cameron." 

Louis said: "Ever since Year 11 I have had a great interest in politics. Since then it has become my greatest passion. 

"Having the opportunity to work with Robert and in the Houses of Parliament is the most superb opportunity and is a dream come true."

Harlow MP Robert Halfon behind new parliamentary 'Apprentice School'

Published on 28 September 2011

THE first parliamentary training programme for apprentices - the idea of Harlow MP Robert Halfon - will be launched next month. 

The programme, which has been dubbed the 'school of apprentices', will offer 16 to 19-year-olds the chance to spend up to three days a week working in Westminster, along with two days working towards a level 3 apprenticeship (equivalent to A-level) in business administration. 

MPs who recruit from the apprentice school will have to pay the minimum wage for apprentices (£2.50 an hour) but the London living wage of £8.30 an hour is recommended. 

Mr Halfon, who came up with the idea for the programme with the charity New Deal of The Mind, is a long-standing campaigner for and supporter of apprentices and apprenticeships.

He was the first MP to employ an apprentice in his House of Commons office and is now in the process of appointing a second, also from Harlow College. The final interviews are to be held on Friday (September 30). 

He said: "The aim (of the parliamentary training programme) is to open up politics to young people from a much broader background and get them a decent qualification at the same time." 

Over the past few weeks, all 650 MPs have been sent a letter asking them to take on an apprentice. So far, eight have agreed and a further 14 have expressed a strong interest.

Harlow MP Robert Halfon addresses youth unemployment and campaigns to boost the number of apprentices

Published on 20 September 2011

SINCE being elected in May 2010, Harlow MP Robert Halfon has been a champion of apprentices.

Last week, during a debate on Opportunities for the Next Generation in the House of Commons, Mr Halfon said: “In Essex, nearly 4,000 young people are not in employment, education or training, with Harlow being one of the worst-affected towns.” 

He highlighted that in the year 2000, there were about 600,000 people aged 16-24 not in employment, education or training. 

“By 2010, the number of jobless had doubled to well over one million, where it has remained today.” 

Given this high level of youth unemployment, Mr Halfon is urging that measures are taken to deal with this serious issue. 

Mr Halfon said this improvement should “start in our schools”. Mr Halfon welcomes the Government’s expansion in Academies and Free Schools. 

He also supports the new focus on yielding results and is proud to support many students in Harlow who have recently gained impressive GCSE results. 

He also believes that we must build up vocational education and welcomes the Government funding over 100,000 sponsored work experience placements for jobless 18 to 21-year-olds. 

He added: “Improving youth unemployment can only be achieved if we encourage the right climate for employers to create jobs. 

“The Government have made steps to create a job-friendly climate by introducing the Work Programme, lower taxes for lower earners, cuts in small business tax and welfare reform.” 

Mr Halfon has always believed that this issue should not be made party political and has openly supported MP for Newcastle North, Catherine McKinnell, who has put forward a proposal to Parliament.

This proposal would require companies winning large public contracts to provide apprenticeships as part of their bid. 

Mr Halfon said: “I urge the Government to implement this proposal, not just nationally but in local councils. I have called for this repeatedly, and I have discussed it with members of Essex County Council, who are taking a serious look at it.” 

Read more here  

Mr Halfon, who is co-chair of the All Party Group on Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, understands the importance of public procurement in addressing the issue of youth unemployment, and is currently in the process of recruiting his new apprentice to his Westminster Office.

Education, Skills and Apprenticeships

Harlow MP Robert Halfon starts his search for a new apprentice

Published on 18 July 2011

LORD Sugar has just completed his search for this year and now Harlow MP Robert Halfon is ready to undertake his hunt for an apprentice. 

Mr Halfon is a keen supporter of apprentices and apprenticeships and was the first MP to employ an apprentice in his House of Commons office. 

Now, following the success of having had Andy Huckle working for him for the last 12 months - the search is underway for a second MP's apprentice to work for Mr Halfon in both his House of Commons office and in the constituency.

The successful applicant will work with Mr Halfon and also study at Harlow College. 

Mr Halfon said: "People will know that I am a firm believer in apprentices and apprenticeships and continue to campaign to ensure that apprentices and apprenticeships are given the praise and standing in local business that they deserve." 

Andy Huckle - the first ever apprentice in Parliament - will complete his year-long Level 3 placement at the end of July. 

Andy said: "I have learnt so much during my year with Robert and have been involved in so many projects which have certainly taught me a lot and helped me immensely with my studies at Harlow College. 

"I would certainly encourage anyone with an interest in politics and current affairs, and who wants to find out more about the workings of Parliament, to seriously consider applying for the position." 

Mr Halfon said: "Andrew has had a brilliant year, meeting the Prime Minister only earlier this month, running events in Harlow and helping with research in Parliament." 

Andy will go on to finish his A-levels next year, and plans to go to the University of East Anglia to study History and International Relations. 

Students applying to the Apprenticeship need to email a covering letter and CV to Tracy Andrews tandrews@harlow-college.ac.uk. 

For more about the job details click here 

Harlow MP Robert Halfon and employers to launch groundbreaking Apprentice Society and benefit card

Published on 22 June 2011

THIS afternoon (Wednesday) Harlow MP Robert Halfon and the National Union of Students (NUS) will launch a major new business-backed association and benefit card designed specifically for apprentices. 

They will be supported by Skills Minister John Hayes who has welcomed the project. 

Developed by NUS and Mr Halfon and launched with partner employers such as GTA England, PERA, Kaplan, Harlow College and the Association of Accounting Technicians, the Apprentice Card will give apprentices benefits of the NUS Extra Card, such as high street discounts, along with events and advice. 

The society will provide a unique charitable fund to enable apprentices, their providers and employers to work together to improve the learning experience. 

Mr Halfon said: "For many months I have worked with the NUS and employers to develop a national society of apprentices: starting with the Apprentice Card. 

"The Card will finally put apprentices on a level playing-field with students, with the same financial benefits. "But this is not just about economic efficiency it is about social justice as well. That's why I was also among the first MPs to employ an apprentice in my Westminster office. 

"Sadly, just 28 per cent of British workers qualify to become apprentices or technically skilled. In France, it is 51 per cent. In Germany it is 65 per cent. 

"Our economy must not lag behind. For growth and jobs, we need to make apprenticeships the Plan A for our brightest young people." 

Shane Chowen, NUS vice-president (further education) said: "The huge growth in both the demand for and provision of apprenticeships demonstrates the benefit they bring to employers and hundreds of thousands of apprentices but also the need to ensure a joined up national support network and access to life-enhancing benefits. 

"NUS has been working closely with politicians and employers to improve the benefits and support available to apprentices and the National Society of Apprentices and ApprenticeCard will provide groundbreaking access to discounts, events and advice for work-based learners across the country." 

John Hayes MP. the Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, said: "The Government is supporting the greatest number of apprenticeships our country has ever seen because we want more young people to develop the advanced practical skills that fuel growth and build fulfilling and productive careers. 

“To elevate vocational learning and competence, it is right that the hard work, skill and dedication of apprentices is recognised and rewarded alongside the achievements of other learners.

"By reaching out to apprentices NUS is celebrating the worth of practical accomplishment, and helping to build a more cohesive and fairer society."

Harlow MP Robert Halfon welcomes support for his campaign to bring a University Technical College to Harlow

Published on 30 May 2011

MP Robert Halfon has been working closely for many months with Harlow College to prepare a bid to bring a University Technical College to Harlow. 

There is a groundswell of local support for this bid. 

The organisations to publicly back the bid now include Harlow District Council, Harlow Chambers of Commerce, Essex FSB, the Chartered Institute of Journalists, Pearson UK, a number of local engineering firms and the Joint Contracts Tribunal Ltd. 

These local employers have added their weight to the bid, after Mr Halfon also secured the backing of Prime Minister David Cameron and Education Secretary Michael Gove (who has promised to visit Harlow College this autumn to see how the plans are progressing). 

The bid is due to be submitted on Wednesday June 1, 2011. 

Mr Halfon said: "I have worked very hard on this for over a year helping Harlow College with their plans for a new University Technical College. "If we get this it would transform the lives of young Harlow people." 

He added: "I have done this because I am passionate about giving young people opportunities and skills, and helping them to get good jobs. 

"I am also passionate about social justice. A University Technical College together with a growth in apprenticeships will help achieve this. 

"My commitment to young people and apprenticeships is why I employed the first ever MP's apprentice - a local lad from Harlow College called Andy Huckle." 

The Harlow University Technical College (UTC) - will be a brand new type of college specialising in high tech subjects such as in engineering and media / journalism. 

The UTC would take students aged 14 to 19 and would focus on their preparation for the world of work and higher education and on ensuring they gain the best possible qualifications. 

The project, which would be due to open in September 2013, would also bring several million pounds of investment into the town benefiting many small and medium-sized firms. 

Harlow Council leader Andrew Johnson said: "Harlow's educational credentials are becoming stronger all the time with improving results and a new university building taking shape.

"The University Technical College will make the town even more attractive to employers, as Harlow will be able to offer a pool of students with high quality technical skills absolutely right for the jobs market.

"It will make us a significant location for students not just from Harlow, but Hertfordshire and further afield and represent a multi-million pound investment in the town. 

"We are fully behind this exciting bid." 

The Government is expected to approve up to 24 UTCs across the country. 

The colleges will offer qualifications ranging from apprenticeships to vocational training in subjects like plumbing, health science, journalism, engineering and construction.

Harlow MP Robert Halfon visits Science Alive

Published on 30 March 2011

HARLOW'S Science Alive welcomed Harlow MP Robert Halfon on Friday. 

Mr Halfon said: "I was delighted to visit Science Alive and was impressed with what they are offering. "Science Alive is the only Science Centre of this kind in Essex and it is great that its activities reach out to such a wide age range." 

Science Alive chief executive Jon O’Connor said: "Robert was really positive about the project and applauded our success in developing a local hands-on gallery, with the potential to boost the future economy by growing interest in acience-related careers." 

Science Alive offers stimulating hands-on learning and career opportunities for students, employees and families providing a focal point for business and education to work together for mutual benefit.

It promotes science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) offering exhibitions with themes relating to science, technology, engineering and maths along with hands-on workshops, master classes and special interest multi-media events as well as roadshows for schools and other learning organisations.

Prime Minister praises Harlow College after intervention from Harlow MP Robert Halfon

Published on 30 March 2011

TODAY in Prime Minister's Questions David Cameron praised Harlow College and its bid to become one of the first University Technical Colleges in the country, in response to a question from Harlow MP Robert Halfon. 

Mr Halfon asked: "The last Government left us with one in five young people unemployed. Does my Honourable Friend agree that the new University Technical Schools will help transform the lives of young people, and are a matter of social justice as well as economic efficiency? 

"Will he support Lord Baker in support the strong bid for Harlow College to have a UTC?" 

The Prime Minister's reply was highly supportive, when he said: "The Honourable Gentleman is absolutely right to speak up for Harlow, and to speak up for University Technical Colleges, which I think are going to be a great innovation in our country. 

"I pay tribute to Lord Baker for the work that he is doing, to the Education Secretary, and to the Chancellor who put more money in the budget so that we can have 24 of these opening in our country - hopefully including Harlow." 

David Cameron is the latest senior Government figure to back the bid after Education Secretary Michael Gove made his support clear on Monday, again in reply to an intervention from Mr Halfon. 

Replying to Mr Halfon, Michael Gove said: "I should be delighted to visit Harlow at some point to see what we can do to advance the very exciting plans for a university technical college." 

The support from senior Cabinet Ministers follows many months of Mr Halfon's hard work promoting the idea, including just last Thursday when he called for a debate in Parliament on the topic. 

Mr Halfon has also tabled a Parliamentary Motion, welcoming the extra funding in the 2011 Budget that would allow as many as 24 new University Technical Colleges by 2014, up from the 12 initially planned.

Harlow MP Robert Halfon welcomes rise in number of apprenticeships in Essex 

Published on 16 March 2011

AN increase in the number of apprenticeships being taken up in Essex has been welcomed by Harlow MP Robert Halfon.

The number of 16- to 18-year-olds taking apprenticeships in Essex has increased by 44 per cent over the last academic year statistics reveal.

During the 2008-09 academic year 2,242 young people aged 16-18 were taking apprenticeships, this increased to 3,229 during 2009-10. 

The increase equates to 987 young people who are now choosing to take an apprenticeship as a route into work. 

Mr Halfon, who is a long-time supporter of apprentices and apprenticeships having raised the issue several times in parliament, has welcomed the figures. 

He said: "This statistics are great news and it is marvellous to see that more and more young people are taking on apprenticeships, and also that Essex businesses are seeing the benefits that can be had by taking young people and helping with their training and career progression.

"I have seen the apprenticeships that are offered at Harlow College and I am delighted to see that other education establishments and businesses are now offering our young people a great chance to develop new skills." 

Since September 2009 Essex County Council’s pioneering Essex Apprenticeship scheme has overseen the creation of 1,250 new and additional apprenticeships across the county by incentivising local businesses with a wage subsidy - a technique endorsed by a recent report produced by Professor Alison Wolf on behalf of the Department of Education.

Harlow MP Robert Halfon's apprentice featured on BBC East Politics Show 

Published on 31 January 2011

HARLOW MP Robert Halfon's apprentice Andy Huckle has been featured on BBC television. 

A film crew from BBC Look East filmed Mr Huckle and Mr Halfon at Westminster and at a recent business advice session Mr Halfon hosted in the constituency. 

Broadcast to coincide with Apprenticeship Week, Mr Huckle - who was one of 19 applicants for the role as Mr Halfon's apprentice - told the programme why he applied for the position. 

He said: "I've always been interested in politics and always followed it as close as possible. It is just an opportunity to earn and learn at the same time." 

Mr Halfon has been a long-time supporter of apprenticeships and is keen to see a Royal Society of Apprentices created. He is also keen to see apprenticeships and apprentices given a higher profile.

One day a week Mr Huckle, 20, studies for an NVQ in Business and Administration at Harlow College. The rest of the week he works with Mr Halfon at the House of Commons.

The Government recently announced that a further 85,000 apprenticeships will be available across the country - in some 200 job roles.

Harlow MP Robert Halfon welcomes backing for Harlow College to set up a University Technical College 

Published on 20 January 2011

HARLOW College is being "strongly encouraged" by the Government to set up a University Technical College, Harlow MP Robert Halfon has revealed. 

Mr Halfon, who yesterday (Wednesday) took part in a major skills and social justice debate at Westminster, said such a move would put Harlow well and truly on the education map. 

He said: "This would make our town a true British centre of excellence as we would be one of the first in the country to have a University Technical College." 

Mr Halfon added: "In essence, this would be a new technical school, like a conveyor belt from apprenticeships to Higher Education, training young people in plumbing, construction, health science, and engineering, from as young as 14 years old."

Mr Halfon also revealed that Harlow-based learning company Pearson is in advanced talks with the college about supporting its bid. 

Mr Halfon - who is the first MP to employ an apprentice, Andy Huckle, in his House of Commons office - has underlined his support for apprenticeships describing them as "a forceful answer to the problems of social mobility, our skills deficit and our rising NEET (Not in Education, Employment of Training) population". 

Welcoming the Government's Skills Strategy document, Mr Halfon has called on the Government to increase the prestige of apprenticeships. 

He said: "2011 is the year above all others when we need growth, jobs, confidence, and young people doing the training that will give them opportunities for the future. 

"There is also agreement, I believe, that apprenticeships are not simply about economic utility, but are about social justice too. 

"If we give young people independence, and a work ethic, and the chance to improve their own lives, we give them freedom." 

The Government paper includes a proposal to make all vocational training free at the point of access, with costs repayable only once the person is earning a decent salary. 

Mr Halfon added: "This will help young people of course but more significantly it will open up apprenticeships to single parents, back-to-work mums, jobless adults, the homeless, and ex-offenders who want to go straight. These are people who may have huge potential, but who often cannot afford the fees to retrain. They deserve a chance of economic freedom too." 

However, he said: "Our working age population is less skilled than France, Germany, and the US, and this contributes to the UK being at least 15% less productive than those countries.

"That is why the Government’s new focus on apprenticeships, and their expansion of adult apprenticeships by up to 75,000, is important." 

Mr Halfon has met with many apprentice organisations, from livery companies to UK Skills, from the Association of Colleges to EDGE, each representing a different part of the jigsaw of vocational qualifications. 

He is keen to see the establishing of a national, perhaps even a Royal, Society of Apprenticeships, similar to the Law Society or British Medical Association. 

Mr Halfon has already tabled a parliamentary motion calling for support such a move. 

He said: "I believe a society with membership benefits, such as high street discounts and social events, would dramatically increase the prestige and culture of apprenticeships. 

As the Minister is aware I have been holding discussions with relevant groups, businesses and organisations for a number of months, and I hope we can make an announcement shortly."

Government supports Harlow MP Robert Halfon's call for successful Harlow College apprenticeship scheme to be expanded nationwide 

Published on 13 January 2011

HARLOW MP Robert Halfon has received Government support in his call for the Engineering and Manufacturing apprenticeship schemes from Harlow College and Essex County Council to be replicatid the around the country. 

Mr Halfon said: "At the moment Essex County Council has developed one of the most innovative schemes in the UK, where they are boosting the number of apprenticeships in target growth industries.

"Harlow is one of the main towns involved."

Mr Halfon, who will be leading a Skills Debate in the House of Commons next Wednesday, has met with Skills Minister John Hayes MP who today gave a positive response to Mr Halfon's request. 

Mr Hayes said: "I am pleased to be able to say that we will look very closely at the work being done at Harlow College, which is an exemplar in so many ways. 

"We will look at how that can be spread across the whole country, providing more opportunity and apprenticeships, and building a Britain that works."