Local MP Lends Support To Apprenticeship Expansion Plans

Justin Tomlinson MP has leant his to support to plans to expand the apprenticeship programme in the coming years, as he chaired a roundtable event hosted by the Association of Accounting Technicians.

The AAT has conducted new research on the impact the apprenticeship programme has had. Its new report, ‘Apprenticeships for the Future’, examines how the apprenticeship programme can evolve to meet the future needs of the UK economy. It includes some interesting work on developing skills gaps and targeting incentives.

To coincide with the week of the launch, the AAT held a roundtable breakfast with leading business organisations to discuss the Government’s apprenticeship programme and what more can be done to ensure more people, particularly those leaving school, enjoy a high-quality, skills-based apprenticeship.

Justin Tomlinson MP said: “It was a pleasure to chair this important roundtable for the AAT. Apprenticeships are integral to developing the skills needed by employers and employees. In Swindon we are lucky to have a large number of excellent employers and colleges who have backed the programme and the latest statistics show a further 930 people started an apprenticeship in the last twelve months.