Council leader tells businesses to be more like Alan Sugar

Feb 1 2012 by Jo-Anne Rowney, Buckinghamshire Advertiser

Businesses across Buckinghamshire have been told to become more like Sir Alan Sugar by hiring more young people.

Bucks County Council leader, Martin Tett, has written an open letter to businesses asking them to take on more young employees through an apprenticeship scheme like Alan Sugar, the star of the BBC TV show The Apprentice.

Mr Tett said the county council has had more than 30 apprentices during the past three years, and currently has 20 working in roles, including project management, legal services, support for events related to the Olympics and communications.

Mr Tett said: Talking to businesses, its clear that trading conditions are difficult.

But were the entrepreneurial heart of the UK, and I know our companies are determined to fight their way out of the economic downturn, and are looking for proactive ways in which they can respond.

For me, one of the answers is to make more use of apprenticeship schemes.

For young people, its the chance to gain valuable employment experience, receive training and support to gain a recognised national qualification.

For businesses, its the chance to harness new talent, to benefit from the skills and enthusiasm that young people bring and the opportunity to invest in the local economy.

My message to Buckinghamshire businesses is simple; Investing in our young people is key to achieving greater economic success, particularly in tough times.

As part of National Apprentice Week (February 6-10) and to celebrate Buckinghamshire County Councils apprenticeship programme, Cllr Tett is hosting a Meet the Apprentices lunch at County Hall on Wednesday, February 8.

Since the recession, unemployment levels for young people have risen by over 70 per cent.