A COLCHESTER apprentice has had the honour of meeting several MP’s to discuss youth opportunities.

Asma Parker, 19, attended the parliamentary apprenticeship fair in Westminster, London.

Asma, who is working with property and construction consultancy Ingleton Wood, is now encouraging more young people to consider apprenticeships in construction.

Whilst in Westminster, Asma met Emma Hardy, MP for Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle since 2017 and Toby Perkins, MP for Chesterfield since 2010.

She joined Ingleton Wood’s Colchester office at the start of her four-year Level 6 Architectural Assistant Apprenticeship in 2021 where she works part-time while studying.

Asma said: “I recently attended the parliamentary apprenticeship fair to represent LSBU and Ingleton Wood, where I was able to network with other apprentices and companies that supported apprenticeships.

Gazette: Networking - Asma meeting MP Emma Hardy at the parliamentary apprenticeship fair. Credit: LSBU.Networking - Asma meeting MP Emma Hardy at the parliamentary apprenticeship fair. Credit: LSBU.

“I also got the privilege to meet MPs Emma Hardy and Toby Perkins and was able to converse about the magnificent opportunities and hands-on experience apprenticeships offer.

“Both were very positive and keen to hear about my experience and opinions of the course as well as being very adamant in pushing for degree apprenticeships to become more well known as an alternative route to traditional full-time university as a higher education option.”