John Baron MP highlights Government help for apprenticeships

MP welcomes uptick in local apprenticeships

John Baron, MP for Basildon and Billericay, has welcomed new measures from the Government to ensure young people and small businesses feel the full benefits of the successful expansion of apprenticeships. Data released last month showed that in Basildon and Billericay:-

• 440 people started an apprenticeship in 2009/10
• 640 people started an apprenticeship in 2010/11
• This means that the number of people starting an apprenticeship increased by 200 last year.

On 16 November 2011, the Government announced it will be:-

• Offering cash bonuses for taking on young apprentices. The Government will offer employers with 50 employees or fewer up to £1,500 for taking on an apprentice aged between 16 and 24. This will support up to 20,000 new apprenticeships in 2012/13.
• Making it quicker and easier for employers to take on an apprentice. The National Apprenticeships Service and training providers will be required to ensure that every employer is able to advertise a vacancy within one month of deciding to take on an apprentice.
• Targeting apprenticeships where they are needed. We are renewing the programme’s focus on younger adults, new employees, higher level qualifications and particular sectors where apprenticeships can make the greatest impact.
• Equipping apprentices with basic skills. Apprenticeship providers will be required to offer all apprentices training in English and Maths up to the standard of a good GCSE.
• Ensuring high standards. We will launch a review into the standards and quality of apprenticeships, undertaken by a leading employer and reporting in the spring.

John said:

“200 more people in the constituency are benefiting from apprenticeships. This tickup is good news for these individuals and for the local economy.”

“Until now, too many businesses have been put off taking on an apprentice because of unnecessary bureaucracy and red tape. It is therefore welcome news for businesses and young people alike that the government is streamlining the system.”

“I also welcome the cash bonuses for small firms who take on young apprentices and I urge local companies to take up this opportunity. If there are any glitches then do let me know!”

Notes to editors:

More detail on today’s announcements is available in the following government press release:

http://nds.coi.gov.uk/content/Detail.aspx?ReleaseID=422075&NewsAreaID=2

Extra investment

The massive increase in apprenticeships follows extra investment in apprenticeships by the Coalition government:

• May 2010: In May 2010, George Osborne announced new funding for apprenticeships, funded from in-year spending cuts: ‘£150 million to fund 50,000 new apprenticeship places, focused on small and medium enterprises’ (HM Treasury Press Release, 24 May 2010, link).
• Spending Review 2010: In October 2010, George Osborne announced that: ‘funding for adult apprenticeships will be increased by £250 million a year by 2014-15, relative to the level inherited from the previous government’ (HM Treasury, Spending Review 2010, October 2010).
• Budget 2011: In March 2011, the George Osborne announced further funding for apprenticeships: ‘£180 million for up to 50,000 additional apprenticeship places over the next four years’ (HM Treasury, Budget 2011, March 2011).

National statistics

An official statistical release published last month showed:

• 163,000 more people started an apprenticeship in 2010/11 compared to the previous year, an increase of 58 per cent in one year.
• 442,700 people started an apprenticeship in 2010/11, up from 279,700 the year before.
• Advanced, or Level 3, apprenticeships saw the biggest growth, with a 69 per cent increase.
• All age groups saw an increase in the number of people starting an apprenticeship: 11,500 more under-19s started an apprenticeship, 25,100 more 19-24 year-olds started an apprenticeship and 126,400 more 25-and-overs started an apprenticeship.

(The Data Service, Post-16 Education & Skills: Learner Participation, Outcomes and Level of Highest Qualification Held, 27 October 2011, link).

Constituency statistics