Last week was National Apprenticeship Week and as the only degree level apprentice in the House of Commons I was speaking at a lot of events. I had the honour to meet many apprentices studying a wide variety of subjects, all of whom were on a great career path. The opportunity to study whilst you are working at the same time is really effective not only because you avoid student debt but because you can put the theory into practice immediately, which is a very powerful way to learn. Companies such as Rolls Royce, IBM, Microsoft, Fujitsu and KPMG have embraced apprenticeships and all of them, plus many others, will sponsor studies up to degree level. I’m convinced this is a great option for many students. On Wednesday I plucked up the courage to ask my second question at Prime Minister’s Questions, calling for the Prime Minister to make sure every school is promoting degree apprenticeships to students, so they are aware of this alternative route into the workplace. It’s important that young people, and their parents, realise that choosing an apprenticeship isn’t a second-class option and doesn’t come at the expense of further education including a degree and Master’s degree.
I’m still trying to give up as much plastic as possible for Lent and it continues to be a challenge. If I’m honest I have given up taking a reusable coffee cup to get my morning coffee as it’s just another thing to carry so I wait until I get to the House of Commons and can use a proper cup… luckily the coffee is quite good in the cafeteria. It was therefore a treat to go to the opening of a fantastic farm shop on Saturday where, whilst not plastic free, was full of many things which were not pre-packaged. Stansted Park Farm shop is a delight with so many delicious local foods from across West Sussex and Hampshire. The shop was opened by one of the country’s most famous cooks, Prue Leith and Thomasina Miers, who won Masterchef and set up the Wahaca restaurants, was there cooking fantastic food for all. It was great to see so many local people producing such lovely foods and drinks. It’s nice to know that you are supporting local businesses and the environment whilst doing your weekly shop.
