Conservative MP Elliot Colburn has appointed his first ever apprentice to join his team, in a new annual partnership with the South Thames Colleges Group.
The apprenticeship, which will run each year, provides an opportunity for a local school leaver in Carshalton and Wallington to join Elliot’s team and gain experience in the office of a Member of Parliament whilst also studying a qualification in Business Administration.
Elliot said:
“I am absolutely delighted that Joel Freeman, in his final year at Carshalton Boys Sports College, will be joining my team from the end of June as my first ever apprentice.
“Since becoming the Member of Parliament for Carshalton and Wallington, I have been keen to provide opportunities for young people to see first-hand what the work of an MP involves and to encourage them to consider working in Westminster as a career pathway.
“I run a regular work experience programme throughout the year, and the apprenticeship is the next step in expanding ways for local students to learn more.
“Following a rigorous application and interview process, I was really pleased to appoint Joel to the apprenticeship position, and we are very much looking forward to him starting and working with us to help residents in Carshalton and Wallington.
“The apprenticeship will run each year from June to the following September, and Joel – as the first apprentice – will be gaining experience in every aspect of the work my team and I do locally and in Westminster.
“Congratulations to Joel, and I would encourage students who may be interested to consider applying next spring for the next apprenticeship in 2022/23!”
Sharon Muncie, Assistant Principal at South Thames Colleges Group said:
“Carshalton College as part of the South Thames Colleges Group are delighted to be working in partnership with our local MP Elliot Colburn to shine a light on apprenticeships.
“We are so proud that Joel successfully passed the recruitment process; he will be studying a Business Administration Apprenticeship with us while he works full time with Elliot’s team.
“We offer a wide variety of apprenticeships across all of our colleges and know how important it is for young people to gain employment in these challenging times.
“We wish Joel all the very best over the coming years.”
Joel said:
“I’m really excited to be joining Elliot’s office in a few weeks.
“I’ve always been interested in politics and how MPs work to support local residents; I hadn’t been considering going to university so when I saw the advert to work with Elliot as his first ever apprentice I knew I had to apply.
“I’m very thankful for the opportunity, particularly given how difficult the current jobs market is for young people like me, and I know I’m going to learn so much over the coming year.
“Thank you to Elliot and his team for having confidence in me and for picking me to join their team; I can’t wait to get started!”
Simon Barber, Headteacher at Carshalton Boys Sports College said:
“We are delighted that a member of our school community, Joel Freeman, has been successfully appointed to this prestigious apprenticeship role.
“Joel has a genuine interest in politics, enhanced by his A Level Politics study and has a real understanding of the local political landscape, particularly the issues that affect young people.
“Apprenticeships offer an invaluable route into training and future careers pathways, and it is encouraging to see that there are real and accessible opportunities for young people who do not wish to follow the university pathway.
“We know under Elliot and the teams’ expert guidance that Joel will thrive and work tirelessly to support the constituents of Carshalton and Wallington.
“Thank you Elliot and the team for providing this tremendous opportunity; good luck Joel, we are so very proud of you!”
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
- A full-time paid position, the apprenticeship will run for fifteen months from July 2021 to September 2022.
- The apprentice will gain experience in Elliot’s constituency and Westminster offices whilst also studying for the Business Administration level 3 apprenticeship standard through the South Thames Colleges Group.
- An integral part of #TeamColburn, the apprentice will work closely with Elliot’s casework team to help engage with queries from constituents on a wide range of local and national issues, developing specialist knowledge across an array of policy areas.
- The apprentice will also gain experience in social media and comms strategy; diary and inbox management; speech writing and policy briefing; event management; and much more.
- Candidates had to prepare a CV and cover letter, and complete a short written exercise on what they felt were the key issues facing young people in Carshalton and Wallington today, before a shortlist was taken to interview.
- Applications will open for next year’s apprenticeship in spring 2022.
Photo
- Attached: Elliot Colburn MP and Joel Freeman outside Elliot’s new constituency office at 90 High Street, Carshalton, SM5 3AE
