Gareth Johnson MP: Backing Apprenticeships in Parliament

Gareth Johnson MP for Dartford has raised the issue of apprenticeships in Parliament with BIS Minister for Universities and Science, David Willets MP.  The Ministers response revealed that 85% of apprentices who completed their apprenticeship in the last 12 months were employed at the time of the survey, with a further 4% being self employed.

 

Gareth said:

 

“These figures show that apprenticeships do work.  The majority of individuals undertaking an apprenticeship are able to secure full time employment with the company they have completed their training with or will go on to find employment elsewhere.

 

Finding a job is tough for young people in particular and finding an apprenticeship or some form of training is certainly one of the best ways to find employment.”

 

Recent figures show a 107% increase in Dartford since 2009, putting the total number at 680 in 2011.  Dartford is in fact has the 6^th highest increase in apprenticeships start ups out of 84 constituencies in the south east.

 

The Coalition has recently announced a new scheme of incentives for small employers to take on their first young apprentice. To encourage thousands of small firms that don’t currently hire apprentices to take on a young apprentice aged 16 to 24, the Government will offer employers with up to 50 employees an incentive payment of up to £1,500. This will support up to 20,000 new apprenticeships in 2012/13.

 

Gareth said:

 

““I am delighted that more and more people and employers in Dartford have benefited from an apprenticeship thanks to the extra investment by the Government.”

 

ENDS

For further information please contact Gareth Johnson on 02027 219 7047 or at [email protected]