Huge increase in Liverpool apprenticeships thanks to Lib Dems in Government. (Garston and Halewood Liberal Democrats)

Garston and Halewood Liberal Democrats <info@garstonld.org.uk>

Huge increase in Liverpool apprenticeships thanks to Lib Dems in Government.

November 16, 2011 8:40 PM

Apprenticeships have reached record highs in the academic year 2010/11, thanks to Liberal Democrats in the Coalition Government. More than 440,000 learners started an apprenticeship last year, which is an increase of 50% compared to the year before.

In Liverpool, 5,885 of learners took on an apprenticeship in 2010/11, an increase of 75%.

Apprenticeships give people the skills and experience needed to succeed on the job market and create the skills necessary in the workforce for sustainable growth.

Liberal Democrats have long called for a significant increase in apprenticeships and Lib Dem Business Secretary, Vince Cable, has made this a priority.

To support more employers, especially small businesses, to take on apprentices, the Coalition Government this week announced a number of measures, including:

1. Offering employers with up to 50 employees an incentive payment of £1,500 to take on apprentices aged 16-24. This will encourage small employers to take on up to 20,000 apprentices.

2. Streamlining processes so that it takes just a month for an employer to advertise for an apprentice.

3. Ensuring that the National Apprenticeship Service better supports the needs of small employers - through more effectively targeted advice and guidance and helping training providers work more effectively with local SMEs.

Commenting, Councillor Paula Keaveney said:

"Apprenticeships make companies more productive and give young people the experience and skills they need.

"It's great news to see such progress made by the Government. Lib Dems in Liverpool will be working to support our Lib Dem ministers in making this even more of a priority"