Monday 21 March 2016

Good visit to thriving Prudhoe business Tyne Valley Plastics - and meet 2 former Hexham QEHS students doing apprenticeships

I went to Prudhoe 2 weeks ago to get to know the local business Tyne Valley Plastics, and meet their employees. The business is based in low Prudhoe and is a bespoke plastics business that provides a specialist local service and great local employment. I also got a better understanding of how the December floods had affected low Prudhoe, and was able to update as to how we are trying to ensure that this does not happen again.
Given that it is National Apprenticeship Week this last week it was also good to hear the stories behind how James Whitmore and Sam Stoves became Apprentices in the business. Both went to school at Hexham QEHS and are clearly relishing their new role. Great credit is due to the team at Tyne Valley Plastics for giving these two young men their opportunity, which they are clearly relishing. Apprenticeships have changed: you can earn, and learn now on a long term basis emerging with real skills, and real opportunities. Both James and Sam were clearly enjoying their first jobs, first proper pay packets and all the responsibility that employment brings.