CONGRATULATIONS to Lori Nicholas, a 19-year-old apprentice at the National Assembly for Wales from Bargoed, Caerphilly, who returned to her roots this week to inspire students at Blackwood Comprehensive School, Islwyn, to follow in her footsteps.

Lori is an Apprenticeship Ambassador working with the Welsh Government, encouraging young people to follow the apprenticeship path and take up one of a huge variety of roles available across Wales. Lori wasn’t sure which direction to take after gaining her GCSEs, but she’s now completed an NVQ and, as part of her apprenticeship, is working at the National Assembly. Choosing the vocational route has helped her get the qualifications and skills she needs to pursue a career.

Apprenticeships in Wales are a way to earn a wage and work alongside experienced staff to gain job-specific skills. In the last year, over 28,000 people in Wales started apprenticeships, which offer a unique package of support, qualifications and experience.

Thanks to our Labour-led Welsh Government, youth unemployment is falling faster in Wales than it is in the UK. To make apprenticeships even better in future, the Welsh Government is now consulting with employers, apprentices, training providers and the wider public for their views. Let’s hope everyone interested in developing and training our young people will have their say.

In the meantime, thanks to local ambassador Lori for encouraging Caerphilly county borough’s young people to consider the apprenticeship career development route.

Cllr Gez Kirby, Pontllanfraith