East Lancashire apprentices on a nice little learner (From Lancashire Telegraph)

East Lancashire apprentices on a nice little learner

7:00pm Friday 12th October 2012 in News

TWENTY-ONE apprentices have been taken on by Blackburn with Darwen Council as part of an “earning and learning” initiative.

The new apprentices met Council leader Kate Hollern and chief executive Harry Catherall, who started his working life as an apprentice, to officially introduce them to the organisation.

Coun Hollern said: “It was a pleasure to meet so many enthusiastic and dedicated young people.

“We've got some great apprentices who make a real contribution to the work of our organisation.

“By employing more apprentices we have responded to local people telling us they want us to focus our reduced budget on creating and keeping jobs in the borough.”

Apprentice Holly Nicholson, 21, a former Darwen Moorland High School pupil, said: “After studying photography and media at Blackburn College I applied for dozens of jobs over 18 months but was unsuccessful due to the lack of opportunities and the amount of other people applying for the same jobs.

“This is a brilliant opportunity for me to learn a wide variety of skills, learn how the council works more, and meet new people.

“It will also help me to find new work later in life.”