On a visit this morning (Monday 19 October) to Carshalton College to celebrate Love Our Colleges Week,
the Member of Parliament for Carshalton and Wallington, Elliot Colburn, launched his new apprenticeship scheme in partnership with Carshalton College.
Following a tour of Carshalton College with Nigel Powell, Head of Technical School, where Elliot had the opportunity to meet with a Level 3 Electrical Apprenticeships practical class, as well as seeing some of the facilities available for carpentry, plumbing, and gas apprentices, Elliot met with Peter Mayhew-Smith (Group Principal and CEO of South Thames Colleges Group), Jason Pemberton-Billing (College Principal of Carshalton College and Merton College), and Sharon Muncie (Assistant Principal Apprenticeships) to agree in principle a new apprenticeship starting next year in Elliot’s parliamentary offices.
Open to a local school leaver who lives or studies in Elliot’s Carshalton and Wallington constituency, the Apprentice Caseworker will study an NVQ in Business Administration through Carshalton College whilst working in Elliot’s constituency office in Carshalton for twelve months, with frequent working in Parliament in Westminster.
The successful candidate will learn about the role of an MP and the relationship between Government and Parliament, whilst also developing written and oral communication skills, workplace interpersonal and organisational skills, and balancing a wide and variable portfolio of responsibilities across the apprenticeship. This will include supporting Elliot in responding to correspondence from constituents, briefing research and speech-writing, and ad hoc project work as required.
Elliot Colburn said:
“I am absolutely delighted to have launched this scheme today with the overwhelming support of Carshalton College.
“Apprenticeships offer a fantastic opportunity for young people to upskill and further their studies whilst in the workplace, earning a wage and developing themselves at the same time.
“Whilst I expect many applicants may already have an interest in politics, it is certainly not a requirement, and I would encourage any young person who may be interested to apply.
“I look forward to opening my Apprentice Caseworker scheme for applications later this year.”
Jason Pemberton-Billing said:Jason Pemberton-Billing said:
“We’re delighted to welcome Elliot as a good friend to Carshalton College and very pleased that he has chosen our College as the provider for his new Apprenticeship. It’s going to be a privilege to work with Elliot and his office to make this successful for a young person from our local area and we know it’ll be a fantastic opportunity.”
Elliot has also written to the Chancellor on behalf of Carshalton College, and the wider South Thames Colleges Group, to ask what further support the Treasury is considering providing to continue helping students locally.
ENDS
For more information please contact Tommy Gilchrist via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 020 7219 1273.
Notes to Editors
- The role will be a fixed-term full-time contract, split between work and study, and paid in line with the national standard rates for an apprenticeship.
- Applications will open later this year, and Elliot will be writing to all local secondary schools and colleges to promote the scheme, as well as arranging to visit – in person or virtually – to speak to eligible cohorts directly.
- The deadline for applications will be 15 March 2021, with interviews and appointment shortly thereafter.
- The position will start in August 2021 to run concurrently through to August 2022.
- To promote diversity and inclusivity, all applications will be required to be name-blind, gender-blind, and educational institution-blind as well.
- You can read a copy of Elliot’s letter to the Treasury here: https://www.elliotcolburn.co.uk/news/support-colleges
