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We were delighted last month when Gordon Brown announced he wants more organisations to offer apprenticeships – and it's about time too! Here in Ealing we launched our own scheme last May and so far it's proved a great success. We've already got 20 apprentices working in teams across the Council and we're hoping to have 40 by this summer. It's still early days but signs are that the programme is paying dividends not only for the apprentices, but also for their managers and the wider organisation. In a country that's suffering a skills shortage it makes perfect sense for employers to take on young people and train them in the workplace. Over recent years skills seem to have gone out of fashion and young people who would previously have learnt a trade have headed off to university. While I commend anyone who has the drive and determination to go on to higher education, academia isn't for everyone. Apprenticeships are great because they give young people greater flexibility when they set out on their careers. They can learn a skill, gain respected qualifications and get paid, instead of making the stark choice of heading for university, which can be very expensive, or going straight from school into a job. From an employers point of view it makes absolute sense. You get the chance to take someone and mould them to suit your business needs. Because you've given them training, a supportive environment and an opportunity to learn, apprentices are often very loyal employees. What's more, it's great to have enthusiastic young people coming into the organisation with fresh ideas and a new perspective. Apprenticeship schemes can deliver so much for councils – they can help us engage with young people, improve the diversity of our workforces and help improve the skills base of local residents. Having personally met a lot of our apprentices, I'm quite sure some of them are destined for great things. As local authorities we should lead the way for other employers and champion the development of apprenticeship programmes. Darra Singh is chief executive at Ealing LBC

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WHITEHALL

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