From Monday 1st February - Wednesday 3rd February, MP for South Leicestershire, Alberto Costa, was joined in his Parliamentary Office by Emma Goodson, for three days of shadowing and observation.
Emma who works as a HR Business Partner in The Insolvency Service within the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, was invited to shadow Alberto through a programme initiated by the Industry and Parliamentary Trust (IPT).
The Trust seeks to strengthen the relationship and understanding between Parliament, UK businesses as well as the civil service. This is achieved through a range of training programmes on offer alongside the ability to shadow MPs and MEPs in their Parliamentary Offices.
Mr Costa said “it was great to have Emma join us in my Parliamentary Office for these three days. The programme aims to provide senior Civil Servants with an insight and understanding into the work of MPs and I certainly feel we achieved this during Emma’s visit.
Emma was able to assist with a number of duties and engagements from assisting with drafting a speech I delivered in Parliament to accompanying me to the Justice Select Committee and various other meetings and receptions. I’d certainly recommend the programme to fellow Parliamentarians to help further support the work of the IPT."
Ms Goodson said “This was an amazing experience, which has really changed my perception of what it is like to be an MP. Prior to this, I didn’t really have any concept of the hours required or the varying nature of the work involved; this has been a fantastic insight into how parliament works.
I can’t thank Alberto and his excellent team enough for going the extra mile to ensure I experienced as much as possible”.
Further information on the IPT can be found here: http://www.ipt.org.uk/