People should be able to fulfil their potential

This week marks National Apprenticeships Week. This Government has completely transformed our skills system and I’m proud that during my time as Secretary of State for Education we have reached a point where almost 70% of all occupations throughout the country are now accessible via an apprenticeship.

Growing up in Knowsley, the ladder of opportunity to get to university was missing a few rungs.

So, like many of my friends, I left school at 16, in my case to start an apprenticeship at a General Motors factory.

The skills and experience I gained on the factory floor changed my life and guided me to a 30-year career in international business.

Most importantly, it taught me the value of a highly skilled workforce to both individuals and businesses.

As well as in my role as Education Secretary, as the MP for Chichester, I’m on a mission to drive apprenticeships and ensure everyone is given the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been travelling around the constituency meeting people of all ages and backgrounds who are engaging in the skills revolution through apprenticeships.

I was inspired when meeting with a group of women at Chichester University - some fresh out of school, others who were looking for a new career after having children - all of whom were taking a degree apprenticeship.

Their excitement to be able to earn and learn was infectious, with one saying that leaving work and attending university one a day week for her formal training felt like “a spa day for the mind”!

Last Friday, I popped into Specsavers on East Street to meet some of their optometry apprentices who are making a real difference to people’s health here in Chichester.

Then I went onto Little Blue Door Nursery in Chichester, where I met with their many Nursery Practitioner and Nursery Apprentices. It was clear from both visits how beneficial an apprenticeship is both for personal development and getting the required skills for their chosen profession.

Whether you want to become a lawyer, a doctor, a financial analyst or a teacher, there is an apprenticeship for you and unlike in most countries our apprenticeship system is available whatever your age.