MP urges businesses to take on more apprentices

Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart is campaigning for more apprenticeships to help reduce skills shortages in the UK.

He said: “There are many different routes to success, which is why I am such a big supporter of vocational learning. A purely academic path is not appropriate for many if not most people and I want to make sure there are the best possible routes available so that everyone is able to progress into work and further education.

“With disappointing youth unemployment figures, it is important that we encourage more and more businesses to take on apprentices. Apprenticeships provide an excellent opportunity for many young people to train on the job, gain qualifications, and increase their employability.

“While I welcome a surge in the number of apprenticeship places created by this Government, we need to make sure the quality of apprenticeships remains a key element of its apprenticeship strategy.”

He added: “I urge companies in the East Riding to consider taking on apprentices, especially since the Government’s recent announcement that employers with 50 employees or fewer will be offered up to £1,500 for taking on an apprentice aged between 16 and 24. This is great news, not just for the individuals who are offered an apprenticeship position, but also for the overall local economy.”

Mr Stuart, chairman of the House of Commons Education Select Committee, last week told Business Minister John Hayes that a clearer definition was needed over what constitutes a high quality apprenticeship, saying that although 12-week courses were beneficial for some students they should not be classed as apprenticeships.

He also discussed the possibility of introducing flexible three-year contracts for young apprentices, allowing equal funding for apprentices both before and after their 19th birthdays.