As part of the recent National Apprenticeships Week from 5th - 9th March, local MP, David Rutley, visited AstraZeneca, to learn more about the company's continued commitment to supporting apprenticeships in and around Macclesfield, and to promote the benefits of apprenticeships more widely.
On his visit, David met with twelve of the company's young apprentices, from those in the first year of the programme to those who will be completing their apprenticeship this year, and working across a range of areas within AstraZeneca. These include: IT; international trade; and engineering. David was pleased to learn more from them about their positive experiences of the company's apprenticeship programme and the future opportunities available to them, both in the workplace and in terms of achieving qualifications, including degrees, from institutions such as Macclesfield College and local universities.
As David has seen first-hand, AstraZeneca has invested consistently in apprenticeships over recent years. Its commitment to apprenticeships is a priority for its skills and human resources strategy, helping apprentices to earn whilst they learn. The company is one of the areas biggest local employers, with over 3,000 people working at its site in the Hurdsfield area.
Speaking after his visit, David said, "AstraZeneca continues to provide high-quality apprenticeship placements for young people, many of whom live in and around Macclesfield. Apprentices make an invaluable contribution to the organisations for which they work, at the same time as enabling the apprentices to gain key skills and build their confidence. It is clear from speaking with the young people I met that they feel positive about their apprenticeship placements, and I wish them every success in their future careers."