Gavin Williamson, MP for South Staffordshire, has welcomed new figures showing 820 new apprenticeships were started by people in South Staffordshire last year. In total 3690 new apprenticeships have been started in South Staffordshire since 2010.
Across England, more than 1.9 million apprenticeships have been started since 2010 – with the number of apprenticeships having more than doubled in this parliament.
The Prime Minister announced on Monday that a future Conservative government would go even further: making a £1 billion commitment to deliver 3 million apprenticeships by 2020 and end youth unemployment, funded by reducing the maximum amount that can be claimed on benefits from £26,000 to £23,000, and limiting young people’s access to housing benefit.
Gavin said: “These figures are great news. 3690 new apprenticeships since 2010 means more young people in South Staffordshire getting the skills for they’ll need for the future, as they are locally at companies such as Jaguar Land Rover and McCain Foods.
“And I’m pleased a future Conservative government would go even further, with a £1 billion commitment to deliver 3 million apprenticeships by 2020 and to end youth unemployment.
“By making sure, as part of our long-term economic plan, we deliver the best schools and skills for young people the Conservatives are ensuring the next generation have the skills and opportunities they’ll need to get a good job – so they can have a brighter, more secure future ahead of them.”