A FORMER Darwen schoolgirl today praised the modern apprenticeship scheme.
Sam Mercer, 28, spoke about her success after becoming external funding manager at the Learning Skills Council (LSC) Lancashire. She is responsible for spending a £10 million budget.
Sam left Darwen Vale High School in 1990 with seven GCSEs and decided to go straight into employment. She became a modern apprentice through Training 2000 and worked as junior secretary to the chief executive at the East Lancashire Training and Enterprise Council, which LSC took over last year.
She was taught a range of business skills and has been promoted several times.
"I would definitely recommend a modern apprenticeship to any young person who has high ambitions, but is looking for an alternative to full-time education," she said. "I was earning more at 21 than my peers who were after leaving university.
"The modern apprenticeship gave me an excellent grounding and the opportunity to experience the real working world."
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