SCHOOLS and colleges across East Lancashire are gearing up for National Apprenticeship Week which launches on today.

Youngsters from Nelson and Colne College (NCC) will be taking a trip to parliament while principal Amanda Melton will visit apprentices on a ‘back to the floor’ trip to Royal Blackburn Teaching Hospital.

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Meanwhile, teachers from St Augustine’s RC High School in Billington, Ribblesdale High School in Clitheroe and Bowland High School in Grindleton spoke to young employees as part of a tour of Dunbia Butchery Academy in Sawley.

Electricity North West is also launching a new search for apprentices with 37 places on offer.

The dedicated week, which runs until March 13, is organised by the National Apprenticeship Service to help promote apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.

Liam Hogan completed a hairdressing and barbering apprenticeship at NCC and now runs the Old Fashioned Barber Shop in Burnley.

He said: “I did my apprenticeship, I received a highly commended award in the National Apprenticeship Awards and now I have my own business so I would highly recommend doing one.”

Aarron Hamilton, former apprentice at NCC, is one of 100 apprentice ambassadors visiting the House of Commons to meet Robert Halfon MP, the minister for Apprenticeships and Skills.

He said: “I’m really looking forward to the experience. It’s the first time for me to visit the House of Commons and I’m very excited about it.”