Nick Clegg meets apprentice mechanics from across Sussex

12:30pm Thursday 7th June 2012 in News By John Keenan & Bex Bastable

Nick Clegg tests his own engineering skills while meeting apprentices in Newhaven Buy this photo » Nick Clegg tests his own engineering skills while meeting apprentices in Newhaven

“I didn't go into politics to be unpopular.”

Those were the words of Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who visited Sussex yesterday (June 6).

Liberal Democrat leader Mr Clegg was in the county to meet apprentices to see how training is helping young people to find work.

The Argus also asked him about the Government’s austerity measures.

Mr Clegg talked to Halfords apprentices Elliot Burton, 17, from Shoreham, and Sophie Gray, 23, from Chichester, at the Autocentre in The Drove, Newhaven.

Transport Minster and Lewes MP Norman Baker also attended.

Apprenticeships are crucial to getting young people onto the jobs ladder

Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister

The MOT, car servicing, tyre and repair company employs 180 apprentices across the country.

Apprentices spend eight weeks a year at a training centre in Shropshire, as well as going through on-the-job training and assessment.

Mr Clegg, who has been vocal in his support of apprenticeships, said that the £2.50 an hour wage which the young people are paid was not the motivating factor.

He said: “They are delighted to get the qualifications, the skills and the work experience.

“Apprenticeships are crucial to getting young people onto the jobs ladder.

“That’s why the Government has launched the Youth Contract. This will provide nearly half a million new opportunities for young people, including apprenticeships and work experience placements.

“We are actually paying employers to take on young people.”

Mr Clegg told The Argus that calls for the Government to ditch its austerity programme are misplaced.

He said: “It is not an ‘either or’ choice. We took action last August when we saw that the economy was slowing and stretched our recovery programme over two more years.

“It’s not about easy choices. I didn’t go into politics to be unpopular. But if you take the ferry from Newhaven and visit countries like Spain you will see the consequences of not getting to grips with the economy.”

The Deputy Prime Minister also backed the development of the Rampion off-shore wind farm.

He said: “We have got to wean ourselves off our dependence on oil and wind power is crucial.”

Comments(5)

Goldenwight says...
1:02pm Thu 7 Jun 12

I assume that they couldn't find a wheelchair bound or minority apprentice for the photoshoot, then?

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Morpheus says...
1:08pm Thu 7 Jun 12

A man who claims to have slept with over 30 women asks "How long do you have to keep it in". No wonder he is useless.

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Andre Spooner says...
2:19pm Thu 7 Jun 12

I do not understand. I was under the impression that this man was a politician. And yet at a time when there is great youth unemployment, he appears to be moonlighting as a mechanic. This would just about be acceptable if he was a capable mechanic, but just the other day, the Special Rotating and Revolving Machine that I bought my Mighty Horse for his last birthday ground to a halt in a mass of splintered cog-wheels and iron filings flying everywhere. Despite the Nimble Fingers of Spooner, I was unable to repair this device, and so I reached for the telephone book and summoned a mechanic.

Imagine my shock and suprise when who should come knocking at my door but the Deputy Prime Minister. My Mighty Horse was a little awe-struck (he rode the crest of the Yellow Surge back at the last election, but as he is not yet allowed to vote, thankfully did not place a ballot for this man), but I was more wary, believing it to be a TV stunt catching me out for calling someone a bigot. But as those who know the gentle manner of Spooner, this is a deeply unlikely possibility.

To Clegg's credit, he instantly rolled up his sleeves and began to examine the Special Machine, producing hammers and wrenches and coating it in a thin oil that he appeared to be secreting from an unknown source. Alas, as time passed, his repair techniques declined, until he was reduced to uttering the phrase "Hup-hup-hey!" whilst thrashing the remains of the Special Machine with a large claw hammer. It was at this point that I asked him politely but firmly to leave.

Now, I can understand that it is important for politicians to sample all walks of life, but what is this man doing teaching young mechanics their trade when he cannot repair a simple machine? I urge anyone with a piece of broken machinery or equipment to consider an alternative repair route before putting delicate machine parts in the buttery hands of Mr Clegg!

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nuff said says...
4:13pm Thu 7 Jun 12

Has Andre Spooner forgotten to take his medication?

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Telscombe Cliffy says...
5:46pm Thu 7 Jun 12

Mr Clegg, I think you'll find the Newhaven Ferry goes to France not Spain.

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