Fujitsu, a major local employer, hosted key parliamentary figure, Stephen McPartland MP, to introduce him to apprentices within its Stevenage office, Fujitsu’s second biggest office in the UK. Stephen is an advocate of apprenticeships and investing in youth and the visit was held to signify Fujitsu’s continued commitment to apprentices and investment in the local community.
Stephen said, “I very much enjoyed meeting the apprentices and am proud Stevenage is home to one of Fujitsu’s largest sites in the UK. The apprentices were very enthusiastic about the opportunities Fujitsu has given them and it is clear that they have the potential to become future leaders in the company. Here in Stevenage we have more than doubled the number of apprentices working in local businesses and an apprenticeship is a great way of helping our young people into work. The IT skills that the Fujitsu apprentices are learning will give them a real competitive advantage as they become highly skilled and highly values members of the Fujitsu team. I also took the opportunity during my visit to learn more about the work Fujitsu are doing in the local community and I look forward to working with them to make this as effective as possible.”
Stephen met with a number of Fujitsu apprentices all from the local area. He shared his thoughts on the importance of apprenticeships within the local community and discussed, with senior members of the Fujitsu team, the community activities the company has been involved with over the last 12 months. As an officer of PICTFOR, the parliamentary IT and technology forum, Stephen was also able to articulate why an investment in youth in the technology industry is key for local community as a whole.