Duke: Why young need these skills (From Oxford Mail)

Duke: Why young need these skills

YOUNG apprentices in Blackbird Leys had their lessons disrupted yesterday – when a prince stopped by to say hello.

Prince Andrew talks to Joe Otter at Oxford and Cherwell Valley College’s Blackbird Leys campus during yesterday’s visit

The Duke of York popped in to meet students at Oxford & Cherwell Valley College’s Blackbird Leys campus to hear about their studies.

It was part of his work recognising and supporting apprenticeship skills across the country and comes before National Apprenticeship Week kicks off next week.

Prince Andrew toured various workshops, talking to young apprentices from the worlds of carpentry, motor vehicles and bricklaying.

Earlier in the day, he visited specialist music and technology college the SAE Institute in Littlemore before rounding off his visit to the city by meeting executives at Isis Innovation in Summertown, which helps fledgling businesses spin out of Oxford University.

Prince Andrew with Jason Rowland

At OCVC’s Leys campus, bricklaying apprentice Jason Rowland, 24, from Eynsham, said: “He seemed nice. We spoke about what I was building and he asked me things like how much it would cost, if there was much demand for it.”

Speaking exclusively to the Oxford Mail, the Prince said: “We need to try to get a grip on what it is that is going to make Britain’s economy continue to grow.

“At OCVC the level of commitment to giving young people a skill and a proper education is remarkable.

“The great thing about the education system now is that at 14 there are so many different things you can do.

“It is about broadening options. I am also seeing the numbers of small businesses increasing and more young people becoming successful.”

OCVC is the leading provider of apprenticeship training in Oxfordshire at its sites in Oxpens Road, Oxford, Blackbird Leys, Banbury and Bicester. It teaches 1,000 apprentices on 14 different routes, ranging from hairdressing and construction to business and accounting.

Principal Sally Dicketts said: “His Royal Highness seemed genuinely very interested in what our young people had to say. It is something we feel very strongly about.

“Apprenticeships are not always sold in schools as being a real alternative to university.

“But for a lot of young people they are fantastic. We have companies like KPMG taking on apprentices and training them. These are prestigious companies offering people fantastic futures.”