West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has welcomed efforts by Malvern businesses to invest in young people by offering high-spec digital skills apprenticeships.

Harriett met with Payara, based on Malvern Hills Science Park, which is working with Lloyds Bank to deliver degree level digital skills apprenticeships.

Payara was recently presented with a Queen’s Award for Enterprise and Harriett met with two apprentices Kalin Chan and James Hillyard to hear about how they chose to follow a workplace learning path rather than go to university.

Harriett said:

“Payara is a great company with a fantastic track record, and I was really pleased to see the company get proper recognition with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise.

“I have known Steve and Julia Millidge for many years and have been impressed by the way they have taken this company from a small start-up to a major global business.

“By investing in degree level apprenticeships, they are giving young people the option to earn while they learn and get a top-quality start in their careers.

“From our conversations, it is clear to me that some people are much happier getting straight into the workplace and apprenticeships like this offer relevant training and get them on the pathway to well paid jobs.”

Julia Millidge, Payara HR Manager, added:

“Payara has been a long-term investor in Degree Apprenticeships for entry careers in IT, and we have worked with Aston University for many years, offering the Digital and Technology Solutions course.

“Our apprentices have the best of both worlds - degree level academic tuition from Aston, and practical hands-on experience working alongside industry experts as colleagues.

“This dual aspect to their learning enables them to become proficient Software Engineers very quickly which traditional university students can't. Payara is very proud of our apprentices, and the entry into the industry we have been able to give them.

“The Apprentice Levy Funding scheme has worked well for Payara as an SME, enabling us to hire local talent and use this investment to develop a highly skilled workforce - many thanks to our funding partners Lloyds Banking Group for their support and continued interest in Payara."

Jo Harris, Lloyds Banking Group Ambassador for the Midlands, said:

“Payara is doing wonderful work to develop the digital skills of young people like Kalin and James and giving them the best possible start to their careers.

“By supporting the Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Fund initiative we’re able to help small businesses to fund apprentice training in critical areas of skill gaps in science, technology engineering and digital disciplines.

“We believe apprenticeships have the power to create new jobs, fill vital skills gaps and ultimately support our journey to helping Britain recover”

Photo: Kalin Chan, Simon Davies of Lloyds Bank, Harriett Baldwin MP, James Hillyard and Payara’s Julia Millidge.