John Hayes, the Minister for Further Education, Skills & Lifelong Learning, and Priti Patel, the MP for Witham, both took time out of their busy schedules to visit Lota Training on the 8th November 2011. Lota’s Managing Director, Jan Smith was only too happy to show just how hard the team at Lota Training are working to reduce unemployment across Essex, especially in the 16 – 18 year-old bracket.

After this visit, Priti Patel MP was speaking in the House of Commons during a debate regarding apprenticeships and said: “I was recently delighted to welcome the Minister to my constituency on a visit to see the outstanding work being undertaken by an organisation called Lota Training to secure apprenticeship places for young people. It specialises in apprenticeship places and works hard with many local businesses of all shapes and sizes. It is innovative and creative in looking at new ways of working with business and creating more opportunities. During his visit he heard about the good work Lota is doing and about the partnerships it is forging, not only with local businesses, but with firms in the City of London and large international companies to provide opportunities across the country, which is to be commended.”

Lota have launched unique and innovative schemes such as free driving lessons for learners. This scheme has already helped to combat some of the transport problems faced by learners living in the more remote parts of Essex.

The apprenticeship-training organisation has this year launched a new foundation-learning programme to help those young people, who are not quite ready to embark on an apprenticeship, to gain the skills and confidence they need to enable them to commence their journey in learning. The foundation-learning programme delivers qualifications in English, Maths, ICT and First Aid as well as offering a selection of vocational taster courses to help young people with their career choices.