A BUSINESSMAN has spoken of his pride after being appointed a government advisor on apprenticeships.

Ejaz Hussain, the managing director of Burnley Telematics, will assist Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle in his role as the coalition’s Apprenticeship Ambassador.

Mr Hussain, who has 25 years of experience in education and training, pledged to help youngsters from ‘hard-to-reach backgrounds’ fulfil their potential.

He will help Mr Birtwistle prepare monthly reports to Vince Cable, the Secretary of State for Business, Skills and Innovation.

Mr Hussain founded Burnley Telematics, in Daneshouse Road, in 1997 to offer training and employment opportuniities to youngsters low on confidence.

He said: “It’s a very exciting role for me and Burnley Telematics. I am grateful to Mr Cable and Mr Birtwistle for recognising my expertise and it’s a real honour for me.

“My job is to deliver apprenticeships for everybody and work particularly with those businesses who struggle to offer apprenticeships at the moment.

“We have to highlight the issues and barriers that some businesses face when trying to set up apprenticeships.”

Burnley Telematics, which employs 13 staff, is a member of the Burnley Bondholders scheme that recently helped the town earn the title of Britain’s most enterprising town.

A business think-tank based in Lancashire is among his plans, and he is also keen to emphasise alternatives to college and university for 16 to 24-year-olds.