David Lammy MP visits Tiverton estate

Tuesday 21 July 2009

Higher Education Minister, David Lammy MP, was given a glimpse of the future when he met with apprentices from Homes for Haringey and Apollo London during a visit to Tiverton Estate, N17, on Friday 10 July.

The five young men are at the start of their careers as electricians, plumbers and carpenters. They are all positive about serving their apprenticeship knowing that the trade they are learning now will serve them well and offer flexible opportunities for the future such as self-employment or working in another part of the country.

Mr Lammy said: “It’s great to see local lads getting hands-on training in skills that will stay with them for life. Providing apprenticeships is just as important as training graduates - employers need to invest in both so the country has a pool of hard-working and enthusiastic people with well-honed skills to draw on in the future.”

Some of the apprentices are working on the housing stock being refurbished in Haringey’s £200 million decent homes programme. The improvements include double glazing, rewiring, new roofs, doors, kitchens and bathrooms.

Council tenant Kandie Adams is delighted with the extent and the quality of the improvements to her flat on the Tiverton estate. She believes it’s ‘money well spent’ and invited her local MP in to see for himself.

Mr Lammy said: “It’s really wonderful to see the incredible benefits that can come from targeted local investment. The combination of training Haringey’s young people in lifelong skills and improving the quality of council housing, is helping local residents go on to build a solid and positive future for themselves and their community.”

Homes for Haringey’s Chief Executive, Paul Bridge, said: “We’re continuing with our very successful apprenticeship scheme and our partners in the decent homes programme have committed to taking on local apprentices too. We’re also starting a graduate trainee scheme this year to help even more people take the first step in their chosen career.”

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