Sir Alan Sugar looking for North East future leaders

Jun 10 2009 by Laura Caroe, The Journal

Sir Alan refused to answer questions on whether there was a conflict of interest between his new Government role and presenting The Apprentice.

The Conservatives have written to BBC director general Mark Thompson questioning whether Sir Alan’s “enterprise Tsar“ role could breach the corporation’s impartiality rules during the general election campaign.

He said: “I am not here to discuss my new Government role. This is the fourth seminar in the apprenticeship initiative. That’s what I’m doing here and hopefully the initiative will go on.” And when the entrepreneur was asked whether he would consider buying Newcastle United and if it was a good business opportunity, he laughed and said: “I think I will definitely give that a miss.”

Jade Bruce, who is working for Rok Build as an admin assistant, said it was great to meet Sir Alan.

Sixteen-year-old Jade, who lives in Lobley Hill, Gateshead, said: “The current climate makes it very difficult for people to get a job, so I believe an apprenticeship is the best way to get your foot in the door. Alan Sugar was really nice but it was nerve-wracking. He comes across as really scary in The Apprentice so I didn’t know what to expect.

“It was a great experience and a real honour to meet someone who is so highly regarded in business. We talked about how my school promotes apprenticeships but we agreed that many don’t. We are one of the few schools in the region that do it. I would recommend an apprenticeship to all my friends, it really helps you realise what you actually want to do as you get a chance to try different areas in the business.”

Sir Alan was supposed to be speaking to Children’s Secretary Ed Balls and Communities and Local Government Secretary John Denham but due to the recent Government turmoil, apprenticeships minister Lord Young and Hartlepool MP Iain Wright attended instead.

In April, the Government launched the National Apprenticeship Service to fund apprenticeship places. Its main aim is to make it easier for employers to take on apprentices, and support to both the employer and learner.

For a video of Sir Alan's visit yesterday, go to www.journallive.co.uk/videos