National Apprenticeship Week: Meet Rebecca, our apprentice, and a key member of our team

I'm a strong supporter of apprenticeships and wanted to do my bit. So since September Rebecca Johnson-Varley has been working in my constituency office as our first apprentice. 

Rebecca has quickly become a key member of our team. She is enthusiastic, has a sense of humour and always willing to go the extra mile. At the end of the apprenticeship she will have the skills and experience to enable her to get a job, and she'll have hugely added to the capacity and capability of my constituency office.

Rebecca works four days a week in my office providing secretarial and administrative support. One day a week, she studies at Sheffield City College completing a Business Administration NVQ at Level 2.

The support from the college is excellent. After some advice and information from the National Apprenticeship Service, the college helped with recruitment, selection, risk assessment, health and safety, and the qualification requirements. There is always someone at the end of the phone at the College if we need to ask questions. 

I'd strongly encourage any other employer that is thinking about taking on an apprentice to go for it. It's a fantastic opportunity for a young person at the start of their working life, and taking on your apprentice can help your business to grow. 

Rebecca says "I started A Levels but left school after a year in sixth form when I realised it wasn't for me. I wanted to do something more practical, and the apprenticeship has a coursework rather than exam focus. I like the fact that as an apprentice secretary to an MP, there is no typical working week. It's a great opportunity for me."

If your business is interested in taking on an apprentice why not come along to the free drop-in session that I've organised on Friday 10th February. It's at the Cutlers Hall in the Osborne Room between 10am-1pm. Staff from the National Apprenticeship Service will be on hand to answer any questions that businesses have got. If you would like any further information please call my office on 0114 272 2882, email paul.blomfield.mp(at)parliament.uk, or tweet me @paulblomfieldmp