North Swindon MP, Justin Tomlinson, has pledged his support for the apprenticeships programme during an event in Parliament.
The event, hosted by the Skills Funding Agency helped to explain the benefits apprenticeship can bring to a business, inspire employers about the breadth of the apprenticeship programme, including traineeships and higher apprenticeships and showcase high profile engaged employers to provide examples of apprenticeships in practice.
Last year, 930 people started an apprenticeship in North Swindon and new apprentices alone provided a boost of around £1,872,000 in 2012/13 to the local economy. Nationally, almost 2 million people have started apprenticeships since the 2010 General Election.
The Government offered a great deal of support to the apprenticeships programme, 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.
Last month, the Prime Minister announced that the Conservatives will support 3 million new apprentices if David Cameron is Prime Minister after May.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: “Apprenticeships play a vital role in helping to develop real, workplace skills. 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! I’m delighted that a future Conservative government would provide 3 million apprenticeships.”
