Local MP Lia Nici tests her skills at National Apprenticeship Week celebrations

Students and staff welcomed Local MP for Great Grimsby Lia Nici, to the Grimsby Institute as part of their annual National Apprenticeship Week celebrations. 

Lia spent the morning chatting with staff and Plumbing and Heating apprentices before testing her plumbing skills in a have-a-go session alongside Chief Executive Ann Hardy and Director of Apprenticeships Lucy Ottewell-Key. 

The annual Apprenticeship Week celebrations are an important date in the diary of the Institute. Activities highlighting the importance of these programmes, including the much-anticipated Apprenticeship Awards, have been taking place throughout the week in college and across the region with employer partners. 

Ann Hardy, Chief Executive Officer TEC Partnership, said: “National Apprenticeship week is an excellent way to highlight the incredible work taking place by apprentices across the college. We are delighted to have Lia here today, meeting our learners and seeing their amazing skills and talent first-hand. 

“The importance of apprenticeships and the benefits to both students and employers is invaluable. We are incredibly proud of the work we are doing with employers to ensure we are providing them with the apprentices they need to keep growing and developing a motivated and skilled workforce. Today is a wonderful opportunity to showcase some of the excellent work taking place across our apprenticeship provision.”

Activities throughout the morning saw the trio undertake various tasks, including pipe bending and soldering, Lia said: “It’s been great working with the apprentices this morning. They are all highly skilled in their field, to see this new talent coming through is fantastic. There are many businesses providing apprenticeships, but we need more employers to understand their importance and how they can be involved with providers such as the Grimsby Institute. 

“Over the past two decades, people have been encouraged to go to university, and while universities have their place, we know we need more skilled people and need to raise awareness of the opportunities available. I’ve just launched a new website called grimsbycareers.co.uk for those people looking for jobs and don’t know what employment opportunities are available locally. 

“I worked at the Grimsby Institute for 22 years and loved it. We should be telling everyone about the fantastic courses on offer at the Institute and the excellent work taking place there.”

For further information on Apprenticeships at the Grimsby Institute, visit https://apprenticeships.grimsby.ac.uk