AN APPRENTICE has schooled deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg on how to get more young people involved with community work.

Matt Seel, a former Burnley Borough Council apprentice, gave the Liberal Democrat leader ideas on how to increase the number of young people involved in community activities.

The event, which also included a Q&A session with more than 150 young people, marked the formal opening of nominations for the Brathay Apprentice Challenge 2014.

The project tests apprentices on their team building, leadership, logistical and communications abilities in a series of challenges including awareness raising and community projects.

Matt, 21, said: “It was a great opportunity to meet with Nick Clegg and discuss how to get more young people involved in community projects.

“It was good to see that the deputy Prime Minister had such an interest in the future of apprenticeships.

“He took in everything that we had to say about our work in the community and how things could change to get more young people involved.”

Matt, who hopes to work in public relations, was one of six top apprentices who competed in the Brathay Apprentice Challenge 2013, the official search for the apprentice team of the year.

They provided Mr Clegg with recommendations on how to increase the number of young people involved in community activities.

Ideas included a nationally recognised certificate on completion of volunteering for community work, more recognition from employers and universities for volunteering in recruitment, and a campaign to tackle the stigma behind community projects being uncool or irrelevant, backed by influential people.

Chief executive of organisers at Brathay Trust, Godfrey Owen, said: “The deputy Prime Minister was really impressed by the apprentices during the presentation.

“He realised the need to get more young people involved in their community and has asked the apprentices to send a written confirmation of their recommendations for him to fully review.”

For more information on the Brathay Apprentice Challenge and to apply, visit http://bit.ly/ BAC2014