Plans to create 300 new apprenticeships in South Yorkshire unveiled

It will also provide information, advice and guidance services to apprentices, parents and employers.

The hub will signpost progression pathways and opportunities into and out of high-quality level two and three apprenticeships

It will also help support the development of a public sector approach to apprenticeships, including flexi-job apprenticeships.

The hub is expected to create at least 300 new apprenticeships by 2026.South Yorkshire Mayor, Oliver Coppard, said: “South Yorkshire doesn’t just need a bigger economy, we need a better economy.

"But if we’re going to get there, and if everyone is going to be able to access the jobs and opportunities that new economy will bring, we need make sure people have the right education and skills.

"That’s what this new Apprenticeship Hub is all about; offering people, organisations and businesses a ‘one-stop shop’ for all the information and support they need to get the right skills, in the right place, so we can all benefit from a better, bigger South Yorkshire economy.”The hub will be based at the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority offices in Sheffield, and will be delivered through the South Yorkshire Colleges Partnership.Coun Sir Stephen Houghton CBE, leader of Barnsley Council, said: “Developing skills, talent and creativity in people of all ages will open up exciting prospects and help to drive forward our local economies.

"Apprenticeships go a long way in fulfilling this ambition.

"The new Apprenticeship Hub will help to support local people, organisations and businesses across South Yorkshire, finding opportunities so that everyone can fulfil their learning potential, helping them build the skills they need to get into work and progress their careers.”South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority’s Strategy Economic Plan has a vision that South Yorkshire will recover and grow an economy that works for everyone.

This includes, in terms of skills, developing 30,000 more people with higher level skills and 9,000 fewer people with low or no skills.

Today, Mr Coppard will address the Northern Powerhouse Education, Employment and Skills Summit at Sheffield Hallam University today.

The event, which is looking at unlocking the North's potential and going for growth, features speakers including the Education Secretary Gillian Keegan and a former Education Secretary David Blunkett.

According to the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, even before Covid, there was a £4 per person per hour productivity gap between the Northern Powerhouse and the rest of England. If the North’s productivity was levelled up to match the UK average it is estimated that there would be a potential £44bn real term gain to UK GDP.