PRIME Minister Gordon Brown praised the work of a NHS project during his visit to Great Yarmouth this week.While at Great Yarmouth College to officially open the Alchemy Enterprise Centre on Monday Mr Brown was particularly impressed by the NHS Apprenticeship Scheme urging those involved to “keep up the good work.

PRIME Minister Gordon Brown praised the work of a NHS project during his visit to Great Yarmouth this week.

While at Great Yarmouth College to officially open the Alchemy Enterprise Centre on Monday Mr Brown was particularly impressed by the NHS Apprenticeship Scheme urging those involved to “keep up the good work.”

NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney, James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and the college work in partnership to provide the apprenticeships across the area.

Mr Brown praised the project and spoke to several of the 100 people currently training as part of the scheme including Larissa Smith, a human resources assistant for NHS Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

The 27-year-old, who started her apprenticeship in September said: “He asked us lots of questions and was really friendly. It was nice that he took the time to talk to each person and show an interest in our courses. He asked where we studied - which for me is mainly on the job.

“He was really polite and it felt like ages when he was there talking to us, but it was probably just a few minutes. At the end of our conversation he said keep up the good work”.

JPUH chairman John Hemming said: “The apprenticeship scheme gives employees a valuable work-based qualification, improves their skills and enhances the level of care for patients.

“We have more than 70 apprentices working in many areas of the Trust, including in front line, IT and business administration roles.”

NHS GYW chairman David Edwards, who started his career as an apprentice, said: “With the decline in big manufacturing we lost massive development opportunities for young people. We are bringing this back locally with 100 apprentices appointed with the local health service. Young people are our future and it's a sensible investment.”