Alex Sobel is calling on the Government to adopt Labour’s plan to create 12,970 new apprenticeships for young people in Yorkshire & the Humber ahead of National Apprenticeship Week.
National Apprenticeships Week recognises the enormous contribution made by apprentices and their employers in Leeds North West, giving people the chance to earn as they learn and delivering the skills our country needs to prosper. However, under the Conservatives these training opportunities have been disappearing especially for young people. The Government has overseen a marked decline in apprenticeship starts in Leeds North West since 2011.
To reverse this downward trend and secure the skills our country needs for the future, Labour has called on the government to introduce a wage subsidy which could have created 12,970 new apprenticeships in Yorkshire & the Humber this year. This subsidy would be funded from underspent funding in the apprenticeships levy – a charge large employers have to pay to government.
Backed by the Association of Employers and Learning Providers (AELP), Labour’s plan could have created 100,000 new apprenticeships for 16-24-year olds across England this year.
Alex said:
“I’m pleased to back National Apprenticeship Week, recognising the enormous contribution made by apprentices to our economy and wider society.
“However, the Government is failing to create the opportunities young people and our local economy in Leeds North West need to prosper.
“I am calling on the Government to adopt Labour’s wage subsidy policy to boost opportunities for young people to secure our economy post pandemic.”
Shadow Minister for Further Education and Skills, Toby Perkins MP, said:
“The Conservatives have overseen a decade of decline in apprenticeships, failing to secure the skills and training opportunities our country needs.
“Instead of focusing on creating new opportunities for young people and tackling the skills shortages across key sectors of the UK economy, this government is distracted by scandals at the heart of Downing St.
“Ministers should adopt Labour’s plan to create thousands of new apprenticeships this year, securing the opportunities young people need to gain productive skills and support our economy to prosper.”