North Swindon MP, Justin Tomlinson, is using National Apprenticeships Week to call on more local businesses to take on an apprentice, after new research revealed the extent of the benefits involved.
Last year, 930 people started an apprenticeship in North Swindon. This means that new apprentices alone provided a boost of around £1,872,000 in 2012/13 to the local economy. Nationally, more than 1.5 million people have started apprenticeships since the 2010 General Election, including around 500,000 new starts in the last year.
The Government has made it easier for businesses to take on apprentices by offering upto 100% financial support to businesses in order to cover the training costs of the apprentice, and ensured that apprenticeships offer a real opportunity by extending their minimum length; opening the door to high quality qualifications and future employment. Justin has actively campaigned, both in Parliament and Swindon, to boost the number of people starting apprenticeships and encouraged businesses to work with apprentices to develop skills and entrepreneurship.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: "I am delighted that, as we rightly celebrate National Apprenticeships Week, the latest figures show that the number of people who started an apprenticeship in North Swindon last year was close to 1000. For Britain to succeed we need to equip young people in particular with the real-life skills needed for our growing economy and I'm pleased that the Government is committed to supporting the development of the apprenticeship programme. Both Swindon College and New College already do a fantastic job supporting apprentices and long may that continue! Businesses across Swindon are already taking on apprentices but I know there are more companies, regardless of size, who could benefit from taking on and training an apprentice, and many potential apprentices across our town who could benefit from the vast knowledge and experience that our businesses have to offer."
To find out more about the National Apprenticeships Week or how you can take on an apprentice, click here
