Sam Gyimah MP with his apprentice, 18 year-old Megan McGeown.

Following his successful campaign last year to create 100 local apprenticeships in 100 days, Sam Gyimah MP has praised local businesses that have taken on apprentices and welcomed new research into the effect on East Surrey’s economy.

The campaign run by Sam Gyimah saw 108 apprenticeships pledged for by local organisations across the constituency, including in Caterham. Last year, 660 people started an apprenticeship in East Surrey.

The research, commissioned by the Association of Accounting Technicians to coincide with National Apprenticeship Week (3-7 March), suggests that new apprentices in East Surrey gave local businesses a boost of £1.4m last year.

However, surveys show that 60% of small businesses are missing out on the opportunities involved because they lack awareness of the Government’s apprenticeship offer.

Sam said: “I welcome this research, which shows that every time a company in East Surrey hires an apprentice, their bottom line gets an average boost of £2,162. This benefit is immediate, after wage and training costs are deducted.Having recently taken on my own apprentice in my parliamentary office, I can fully testify to the value that apprenticeships can add to an organisation. With generous support from the Government still available, I would encourage all businesses that have not already done so to look carefully at the scheme.”

Follow this link to view an interview with Sam Gyimah's apprentice, 18 year-old Megan McGeown from Oxted. bit.ly/1nhbn18