Last Friday Nick visited local Greenwich apprentices involved in the highly-successful Mears Projects.

Mears Projects, based in Charlton, is committed to providing work and training opportunities for young people who need them most. Mears took on eight apprentices from Greenwich last year in partnership with Greenwich Council with the aim of providing career and skills development prospects over a two-year scheme. The apprentices are being trained in a range of skills, working alongside operatives and contractors out in the field. This is mixed with regular college attendance, where they are working towards a achieving a trade-related NVQ2.

Each apprentice was given their own set of tools and their first task was to design and make their own toolbox. As well as working hard towards their NVQ2, the apprentices have been gaining invaluable hand-on work experience on a variety of projects in the community. These range from the refurbishment of void properties to odd-jobs for elderly residents.

Nick says: ‘The Mears Projects is an excellent response to Labour’s national campaign ‘Backing Young Britain’ - a call for everyone to do whatever they can to help young people through the recession. This is giving young people leaving school a chance, and harnessing the talent of the future. This will help young people get into the jobs market – and benefit business into the bargain.

The Mears Projects is also connecting young people with their community by working with local residents. This Friday I met Greenwich apprentice Jack Shevlin, who recently painted a boiler cupboard for an elderly resident at Melthorpe Gardens. The elderly lady was unable to carry out the work herself and had no family member nearby to help. What was only a small job was a huge help to her. This is a wonderful example of a young persons training scheme improving the lives of people living in our communities’.

The apprentices are currently on the second year of their course. It is hoped that they will all qualify and become fully-fledged and experienced operatives working for Mears in their own right.