Mr Speaker welcomes Young Apprentices to Commons

Kayleigh Goldsworthy, Lorel Enoe, Mr Speaker, Charlie Ward and Cana Ozkan

Under this first Pathfinder scheme, run in conjunction with Southwark Council, the students will spend time each week at the Commons on work based learning.

"You will be helping us. We need you, the young generation, to come and work for us" said the Speaker of House of Commons at a reception for the students and their families held at Speaker's House.

"I am sure that these Young Apprentices will benefit enormously from their time here and I hope that they will put the skills that they aquire to great use in their future careers" said Mr Speaker Martin who recalled his own sheet metal worker apprenticeship at the age of 15.

"I also hope that some of them will be able to obtain worthwhile careers in the House of Commons which, whilst the centre of our country's democracy, is also a very substantial employer in the heart of London."

One student intending to take up a job offer is Charlie Ward from St Saviour's & St Olave's School. She has already been working as a receptionist and hopes to begin working full time for the House of Commons when she leaves school this summer.

The three other SE1 Young Apprentices are Lorel Enoe, Kayleigh Goldsworthy and Cana Ozkan from Southwark College in The Cut.

The Speaker is hoping to expand the scheme to allow for students to undertake work experience in clockmaking, upholstery and catering. The Palace of Westminster has many fine clocks, numerous chairs designed by Pugin, who lived near the Elephant & Castle, and several kitchens.

At the end of the apprenticeship each student will receive a certificate signed by Mr Speaker.