Alok Sharma, the Member of Parliament for Reading West, yesterday met with apprentices recruited as part of YMCA Reading’s flagship ‘Y-Build’ project.

Y-Build was started by YMCA Reading as a pilot project in Spring 2013 and aims to support the local community by helping young people to build a better future for themselves by providing education, paid work experience in construction as well as mentoring to help overcome any personal challenges the young person may be facing.

All of the apprentices gain work experience working on the YMCA’s own construction and maintenance projects. Young people employed on the apprenticeship scheme also complete at least an NVQ Level II and any relevant technical certificates in their chosen subject within the construction industry.

Alok also received a briefing from YMCA Reading Chief Executive Russell Martin on the charity’s approved plans to build an extension to its existing premises, as well as to build a new pre-school, a swimming pool, gym facilities, a sports hall and a café. The organisation currently has 40 studio flats available for young people aged 16-25 and hopes to build at least 20 new self-contained studio flats in the near future.

Alok Sharma said: “It was great to see some of the work that the YMCA’s apprentices have been doing, including electrical work, carpentry and bricklaying. All of the young people I met were very proud of the work they had been doing and I wish them all the best in their future careers. I look forward to continuing to work with the YMCA on a number of specific projects in Reading.”

Russell Martin, Chief Executive of YMCA Reading said: “Long-term unemployment and youth homelessness remains a critical issue for young people in this country. Young people are four times more likely to be out of work than older age groups. Here at the YMCA we see first-hand the impact that unemployment at a young age can have; from reducing the wages a person will go on to earn throughout their life, to increasing the chances of them becoming unemployed again in later life, to having a long-term impact on their health.”

Mr Martin continued: “The Government is right to recognise that more does need to be done to support young people and we very much welcome the support Alok Sharma has offered us. We are passionate about apprenticeships and believe these are a vital route to help unemployed young people out of the benefit trap and into meaningful work.”

Photo: Alok Sharma with Russell Martin, Chief Executive of YMCA Reading and apprentices Shane Stewart and Michael McNulty