AN “APPRENTICE” government minister who has only been in the job eight days said he wanted the UK to follow in Knowsley’s footsteps.

Iain Wright, Parliamentary under-secretary of state for 14-19 year-old Reform and Apprenticeships, said the borough’s apprentice scheme was at the forefront of educational reform.

Mr Wright said: “We can learn lessons from Knowsley, which is at the forefront of making apprenticeships work.

“Recruiting 100 apprentices in 100 days sounds ridiculous, but proved successful, and I now want to take the experiences I have seen here and roll them out across the country so young people in different areas can benefit as well.”

The MP for Hartlepool made his comments during a visit to Knowsley’s second new centre for learning, in Halewood.

He met with the leader of the council, Cllr Ron Round, and heard about the Knowsley Apprentice Scheme.

Now in its second year, the scheme – which has been backed by former Apprentice star Ruth Badger – offers three-year apprenticeships with local businesses.