Merepark backs apprentice drive

Developer Merepark has taken on six apprentices at its major mixed-use scheme Central Village through an agreement with the North Liverpool Regeneration Company.

NLRCO is a community-based social enterprise training organisation which has been providing training for NEET – not in education, employment or training – young people from areas of disadvantage since 2000, and is funded by the Skills Funding Agency.

Two apprentices have now completed their apprenticeship with Merepark and been kept on in full-time employment. Merepark has also taken on a further four apprentices from NLRCO.

Cllr Nick Small, Liverpool City Council member for employment, enterprise and skills, said: "This is great news. It is a top priority for us to get young people into employment and wherever we have major developments across the city we are trying to ensure that they are given opportunities."

Nicola Kelly, project manager at NLRCO, added: "The North Liverpool Regeneration Company is one of the most successful training organisations on Merseyside, and a leading provider of construction apprenticeships. As such we continue to contribute to the Mayor's target for 1,300 apprentices over the next three years."