Hopwood apprentices find childcare is ‘child’s play’

‘Kings of the Castle’, David Clegg and Liam Marshall

Two 17 year old lads from Oldham are making a success in the traditionally female world of childcare thanks to Hopwood Hall College.

David Clegg, from Royton, and Liam Marshall, from Shaw, are delighted with their new part-time jobs at St. Aidan and Oswald Out of School Care Club in Royton, which offers before and after-school care for children aged 3-11.

The boys, who both want to be teachers, were offered the jobs after successfully completing a work experience placement whilst at their secondary school, Our Lady’s RC High School in Royton.

Moira Harwood, the Club’s Officer in Charge, is delighted with the boys’ progress and commented: “Both David and Liam have demonstrated the two things I look for when recruiting new staff: the right attitude to work and a willingness to learn. The apprenticeship scheme is a fantastic way for people to get hands-on practical experience and get paid while they learn.”

Being a man, she says, should be no obstacle to a job in childcare, adding: “Some of our children may not have a male role model in their lives so coming here, and meeting David and Liam, has helped fill that gap. Childcare can also offer excellent career prospects with routes into teaching, nursing, becoming a holiday rep or even owning your own nursery.”