PM delivers 16,000 apprenticeships

DAVID Cameron will today announce a series of deals with big firms to create 16,000 apprenticeships.

Costa Coffee and Morrisons supermarkets have signed agreements to train thousands of youngsters.

The Prime Minister will say the new positions underpin the Tories’ commitment to abolish long-term youth unemploy- ment and create three million more apprenticeships within five years if they are voted in.

Costa Coffee’s parent company, Whitbread, is to hire 6,000 apprentices by 0 0.

Ministers will visit companies across the country to welcome fresh commitments from the likes of Morrisons, which will train 9,000; house builder Crest Nicholson, which will take on 00 and announce a new training academy; and the National Grid, which will take on 500 apprentices.

Mr Cameron will visit a branch of Costa Coffee today with businesswoman Karren Brady to launch the Costa Coffee Apprentice scheme. He will say: ‘There has never been a better time to start an apprenticeship and it’s a huge leap forward to have even more of Britain’s most prestigious employers hiring apprentices.

‘We want apprenticeships to be level-pegging with a university degree, giving millions more people the dignity of work and a regular pay packet.

‘We’ve created . million apprenticeships since 010, but a future Conservative government is committed to opening up three million more.’

Baroness Brady, who is the Government’s small business ambassador, said: ‘ Each apprenticeship is a chance for young people to master a trade, learn on the job and take home money each week.

‘As soon as someone gives you a chance and believes in you – it’s a moment that can transform your life.’