Workers and apprentices in Haringey set to benefit from record minimum wage increase

Posted on 18th Mar 2015 by Lynne Featherstone

2,300 workers in Haringey will see a boost to their pay packet from October this year, thanks to Liberal Democrats in government.

The National Minimum Wage is set to rise by three per cent, which means workers will get a new rate of £6.70 an hour.

It is the largest real-terms increase in the National Minimum Wage since 2008, and over 1.4 million UK workers are set to benefit.

Lynne Featherstone MP said: “Thousands of people in Haringey have already felt the benefit of Lib Dem income tax cuts, and the increase in National Minimum Wage is another step in the right direction.

“These measures are helping low-paid and part-time workers the most – and this wouldn’t be happening without the Liberal Democrats in Government”

Deputy Prime Minister and Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg has also announced the National Minimum Wage for apprentices will increase by 57p an hour.

Nick Clegg said: “This is just one of the many ways in which we have created a fairer society while building a stronger economy.

“If you are on low pay, or starting your dream career through an apprenticeship, you will get more support to help you go further and faster.”

Lynne Featherstone MP visits apprenticeship and training schemes

Posted on 13th Feb 2015 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP yesterday visited Broadwater Farm community centre, to meet with local residents who are involved in successful projects across Haringey.

Along with Communities Minister Stephen Williams, the Liberal Democrat MP met young people taking part in the Building Lives Apprenticeship Scheme.

The scheme helps hundreds of people a year into sustainable construction careers across London. Around 70% of the participants were not in education, employment, or training before becoming an apprentice.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green also met members of the Little Flames Youth Cadet Service, a programme for 9-18 year olds. Alongside learning skills themselves, they deliver first aid training and provide first aid support to several local events.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“Schemes like ‘Building Lives’ and the youth cadets are doing great work to help young people learn skills. They are a real positive force in our borough, and I enjoyed seeing the work they do first hand.

“We have a great story to tell in our local area. Unemployment here has halved since 2010, and youth unemployment in particular has more than halved!

“As the local MP – I hold annual apprenticeship events to bring local schemes and jobs together with local young people looking for work. Everyone should have equal access to these opportunities.”

Almost 5,000 new apprenticeships created in Haringey since 2010

Posted on 14th Nov 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Figures reveal that 4,830 people in Haringey have secured new apprenticeships since the Lib Dems entered Government in 2010.

This includes over 1000 people who started an apprenticeship in Haringey in the last 12 months.

Liberal Democrats in Government have led the apprentice drive and are on course to deliver two million apprenticeships in Britain by the end of this parliament.

Hornsey and Wood Green MP Lynne Featherstone holds an annual apprenticeship event in Haringey. This year, over 100 young people came through the doors to meet companies and find out more about apprenticeships.

Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone said:

“All young people should have an opportunity to get on in life, and apprenticeships are a great way to deliver that. During an apprenticeship, young people get paid to learn new skills, get a qualification, and make contacts in an industry.

“That’s why I hold an annual apprenticeship event, to give young people the chance to meet local and national organisations who are offering these opportunities.

“I’m so pleased to see that almost 5000 young people in Haringey have started an apprenticeship since 2010. It’s no wonder youth unemployment in my constituency has halved since 2010.

“Delivering on apprenticeships helps build the stronger economy and fairer society Britain needs.”

MoneyWise Haringey – jobs fair

Posted on 16th Sep 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

MoneyWise Haringey is a local project run by the Citizens Advice Bureau, to help people manage their finances.

Alongside advice on saving, benefits, and bills, they have arranged a jobs fair on 1^st October. To ensure that everyone gets the most out of the experience, MoneyWise are offering free haircuts and CV training on the day, as well as entering all registered attendees in a prize draw.

I run an annual apprenticeship event (this year’s was at the Civic Centre earlier this month) and so I have seen first-hand how beneficial getting into work is for young people – the boost in confidence, independence, and of course income that work provides cannot be underestimated.

Since the Lib Dems entered government in 2010 youth unemployment in my constituency (Hornsey and Wood Green) has more than halved. Of course we would like to see it fall even further, and so I am delighted that projects like MoneyWise are helping people into work.

The MoneyWise Job Fair will take place from 9.30am on 1^st October at 639 Enterprise Centre, High Road, N17 8AA. Directions and advice about what to do before the Fair can be found on the MoneyWise website.

Haringey youngsters secure interviews and training courses at Lynne Featherstone MP’s apprenticeship event

Posted on 29th Aug 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP yesterday hosted a packed apprenticeship event at Haringey Civic Centre in Wood Green.

Over 100 people came through the doors to take a look at the opportunities available with organisations such as Barclays, the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation and the National Apprenticeship Service.

At the event, one attendee secured an interview at a local restaurant, six people signed up for a stewarding course at Tottenham Hotspurs, and local organisation 5e enrolled 15 people on their ‘skills boost’ programme.

25 of the people who attended expressed an interest in a community cadet course with the London Fire Brigade, and 14 will attend an open day at the North London Garages next week.

Youth unemployment in the Lib Dem MP’s constituency of Hornsey and Wood Green has halved since 2010. At the event, the local MP said she wanted Haringey to continue to lead the way in getting into work.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“This year’s apprenticeship event was a great success. I’d like to thank all the companies who came along to advertise their courses and vacancies, and wish all the attendees who signed up for courses and open days the best of luck.

“Apprenticeships are a great way to kick start a career and I am so pleased to be able to advertise them to local youngsters by putting on this event. Creating apprenticeships is a Lib Dem priority, and we’ve worked with businesses to help create 1.8 million new positions in the last 4 years.

“With youth unemployment in my constituency halved since 2010, our bright young talent here in Haringey are really setting a great example to the rest of the capital!”

Barclays and Tottenham Hotspur among companies confirmed for MP’s Apprenticeship Event

Posted on 21st Aug 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Eighteen companies, with hundreds of vacancies between them, have signed up to attend Lynne Featherstone MP’s annual apprenticeship event.

The event – which takes place at 2pm, on Thursday 28^th August, at Haringey Civic Centre – gives young people the chance to meet with companies who are offering apprenticeships, and get advice about making applications.

Barclays and the Tottenham Hotspur Foundation are confirmed, alongside the National Apprenticeship Service and companies like Hawk training.

The event, which is backed by Wood Green Jobcentre Plus, is open to all young people – not just Haringey residents. Last year, one young person was taken on the day after the event.

The event follows news that youth unemployment in the Lib Dem MP’s constituency has halved since 2010.

Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“I am very much looking forward to this year’s event. We have a diverse range of companies attending, and I know Haringey is full of bright, ambitious young people, who will come along to meet the companies and find out more.

“Apprenticeships are a great way to kick start a career. You get paid to learn a trade, and you get a qualification at the end. You also get to make contacts within an industry, which could help secure full time work.

“Youth unemployment here has halved since 2010 – I want to work with businesses and local young people to make even more progress.”

Local apprenticeship event and falling youth unemployment

Posted on 14th Aug 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Youth unemployment in Hornsey and Wood Green (my constituency) has fallen again! In fact, youth unemployment here has halved over the last four years – down from 7.1% in May 2010 to just 3.1% in June.

This means more and more local young people are getting into work, learning skills and earning money – which is definitely a step in the right direction.

Under the previous Labour Government, education standards fell and youth unemployment rose. Some young people got stuck in the benefits system. Labour threw endless money into this system, and they ended up trapping people, who found they would get more money being unemployed than they would in a job. This is no way to incentivise young talent into work!

When the Lib Dems entered Government in 2010, creating jobs and apprenticeships, and getting all able people back into work, was one of our top priorities.

Working with businesses, we have helped to create one million jobs since 2010, and 1.8 million apprenticeships. Employment rates are now at a record high as the economy continues to recover.

And I want to make sure we keep up in Haringey. Our young people must be aware of, and able to access, all of these opportunities.

That’s why I’m holding my second annual apprenticeship event, on the 28^th August at Haringey Civic Centre. There will be companies at the event with hundreds of vacancies, which local young people can ask about and apply for.

You can also come just to find out a bit more information and ask questions.

An apprenticeship really is a great way to kick start a career. They take between one and four years to complete and combine practical training in a job with study. That means you get paid to study and learn a trade, whilst also being able to make contacts in an industry.

And you get a qualification too – an advanced level apprenticeship is equivalent to two A level passes, and others can lead to the attainment of a Foundation Degree.

Last year, the apprenticeship event was a great success – one young person was taken on the very next day! I hope we can do even better this year.

So if you are a young person, unemployed or just looking for a new challenge, do come down to the Civic Centre (High Road, Wood Green, London, N22 8LE) on the 28th August between 2pm and 6pm – to meet employers and find out more!

Lynne Featherstone MP to host Apprenticeship event in Haringey

Posted on 25th Jul 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green is to host her annual apprenticeship event on the 28th August at Haringey Civic Centre, from 2-6pm.

The MP will be teaming up with JobCentre Plus in Wood Green once again to put on the event, so that Haringey youngsters can meet companies with apprenticeship vacancies, find out more about how to apply and even secure apprenticeships that will kick start their future career.

Last year, the event was attended by around 20 employers, with over 1000 opportunities between them, and over 100 young jobseekers. Following the event, companies have confirmed that they have taken on some of Haringey’s young people – with one young person being offered an apprenticeship the very next day.

There have been over 1.8 million apprenticeship starts since the start of 2010 and Liberal Democrats in Government are committed to delivering 2 million apprenticeships by the end of this Parliament.

In Lynne Featherstone’s constituency of Hornsey and Wood Green, youth unemployment has halved since 2010.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone said:

“With youth unemployment continuing to fall in Haringey, I’m pleased to be able to do my bit to bring these great opportunities to young people in Haringey and I’m really looking forward to this year’s event.

“Apprenticeships are a great way to kick start a career and combine practical training in a job with study. That means you get paid to study and learn a trade, whilst also being able to make contacts in an industry.

“If you’re a young person, a parent, looking for work, or looking to try something different, please do come along and find out more!”

Still looking for an apprenticeship?

Posted on 5th Nov 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

My Lib Dem colleagues and I have always fought for better opportunities for everyone, and this extends to the world of work. Apprenticeships are an excellent route to employment, and are hugely beneficial to both the apprentice and the company they work for.

Earlier this year I held an apprenticeships fair, where a number of young people signed up to programmes run by organisations such as Barclays and the Tottenham Hotspur foundation.

The employers who attended the event have taken on some of Haringey’s talented youngsters, and in turn the apprentices are getting paid to learn, and gaining useful experience and contacts in an industry.

Since the Lib Dems entered Government is 2010, the number of people starting apprenticeships in London has increased by over 130%, and youth unemployment in Hornsey and Wood Green has fallen by a third.

Apprenticeships are giving people the experience they need to get on in life, and they are a key part to building the stronger society and fairer economy that the UK’s citizens deserve.

Apprentices are available in a range of fields, and local examples include vacancies for apprentice tilers, apprentice Care Assistant at the North Mid, and an internet marketing consultant job.

These are all great opportunities, and I wish anyone applying the very best of luck – I hope you enjoy learning whilst you earn!

Here are some other links to help people looking for apprenticeships:

Lynne Featherstone MP joins apprentices at Hornsey Rail Depot!

Posted on 18th Oct 2013 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP today went to Hornsey Rail Depot, to meet apprentices who are working on the site.

Volker Fitzpatrick is the company contracted to build two new train maintenance depots, as part of the Thameslink Rolling Stock Project. They currently have 5 apprentices (3 railway engineering and 2 business administration) and are looking for more.

The Liberal Democrat MP met two of the engineering apprentices, before putting on safety gear and taking a tour of the site – and seeing their work first hand.

The MP for Hornsey and Wood Green was shown the building site, including the train wash and the under-construction maintenance depot. The local MP then discussed the local resident reaction to the works with the development managers.

Since the Liberal Democrats entered Government in 2010, over 1.2 million apprenticeships have been created. Lynne Featherstone MP held an event in August, matching up Haringey’s young people looking for apprenticeships with potential employers.

Commenting, Lynne Featherstone MP said:

“Apprenticeships are fantastic opportunities, giving young people a chance to learn a trade whilst earning money and gaining qualifications.

“That’s why I held the event in Wood Green for young people to find out more about apprenticeships, and why I was so keen to go to Hornsey Rail Depot to see apprentices in action.

“Volker Fitzpatrick is clearly working very hard to build the new depots and facilities, and it’s great that they’re taking on apprenticeships to help. I’d like to thank them for taking the time to show me around!

“If any local resident has any questions or thoughts about the work being done on this site, please let me know.”