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08
Feb 2022
School leavers 'totally unprepared' for work, says Ripon firm
One of the Harrogate district's largest employers has said many school leavers are "totally unprepared" for working life and called for more apprenticeships.
Jonathan Lupton, managing director of gritter manufacturer Econ Engineering, issued the plea during National Apprenticeship Week, which started yesterday.
Mr Lupton, who began his career as a 16-year-old apprentice at Econ, urged businesses to work with school and colleges to solve the skills gap.
He said:
Read more:
- Andrew Lupton, sales director of Ripon firm Econ, dies suddenly
- Harrogate College to host week of networking events for businesses
Mr Lupton said Econ, which employs 240 staff, has employed apprentices since it was founded in 1969. He said this enabled recruits to get to know the business inside out by learning from experienced staff.
He added:
Econ, which manufactures 85 per cent of the winter maintenance vehicles on UK roads, highlighted its latest apprentices — 17-year-old Oliver Merrin, and 21-year-old Michael Urban, who are both welders.
They will work under the supervision of Eddie Herron, who began his career at Econ as an apprentice 45 years ago.
Mr Lupton said:
Harrogate College launched an employers' network last year to encourage local firms to talk about their training needs with a view to the college adapting its courses accordingly.
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