North East Apprentices – “You’re Hired!” (Easington Liberal Democrats)

Easington Liberal Democrats <info@easingtonlibdems.org.uk>

North East Apprentices – “You’re Hired!”

June 24, 2011 10:06 AM
Originally published by Ian Swales

Local Lib Dem campaigners have welcomed the news that there has been a 73% increase in apprenticeships in the North East - with over 10,000 extra positions created for local people in the last year.

Figures released today show that over 24,000 people in the North East began apprenticeships this year making the region the biggest beneficiary outside London of the Government's drive to boost apprenticeships.

This is the biggest increase in apprenticeships in our history and we're pleased to see that the North East has been one of the biggest beneficiaries.

Unemployment, particularly among younger people, is a big issue in Easington. Apprenticeships are a great way of getting into work as they provide people with the skills and experience that employers are looking for.

In total over a quarter of a million people across the country have undertaken an apprenticeship in the last year, an increase of over 100,000 on 2009. This is double the target set by the Government in May 2010 when they outlined plans to create 50,000 extra places by 2011.

The increase is part of a broader strategy set out by the Government to create an additional 250,000 apprenticeship places by the end of this Parliament.

We will continue to push for the Government to see through its plans to make it easier for organisations to take on apprentices, so that both local people and businesses can continue to reap the benefits.