“MORE CASH FOR APPRENTICESHIPS IS GREAT NEWS!” says Stunell

Andrew Stunell MP welcomed the news that an extra £85million of Government cash will go towards creating more apprenticeships for young people, and a further £20 million will go towards postgraduate level apprenticeships.

Commenting, Andrew Stunell MP said -

"Apprenticeships have been a big success story for local young people in the last three years. Already more are receiving training on the job than ever before, with record numbers taken on last year."

"I'm delighted that this great Lib Dem initiative is being expanded by the Government with an extra £100 million cash and 100,000 places. We are now beginning to catch up with world leaders like Germany, who have always taken proper training for industry very seriously."

Lisa Smart, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Hazel Grove, said -

"It's brilliant that the Coalition Government has decided to boost apprenticeships even further by throwing an additional £100million into the pot! In Stockport we've already seen local employers taking on more apprentices and we've witnessed the positive impact it can have, by the boost in our local economy and the drop in our unemployment rate."

"We've taken on Conor, a young apprentice, in our Romiley office, who is doing an excellent job, which has only made us more enthused to encourage other employers to do the same. This extra cash from the Government will ensure that businesses are still supported whilst taking on an apprentice and that more apprenticeships are created for our young people - a win-win situation all round!"

Picture (left to right): Lisa Smart,Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate for Hazel Grove and Conor McArthur, new apprentice in the Liberal Democrat Romiley office.

The Apprenticeship Grants for Employers scheme was due to close this year as demand has exceeded expectations, so this additional funding of £85million will ensure the scheme can stay open for the full year, and an extra 100,000 apprenticeships will be created as a consequence.

Locally, Andrew's campaign to secure 100 apprenticeships in 100 days was a resounding success (actually securing 203!), the UK's first Apprenticeship store was opened in the centre of Stockport to help young people into work, and the Council launched its new campaign for this year to get 50 Stockport apprenticeships in 50 days.