The young are the future but an afterthought to the Tories
I’m pleased to back National Apprenticeship Week, recognising the enormous contribution made by apprentices to our economy. Apprenticeshipsofferpeoplea way to “earn while they learn” and supportemployerstodevelopthe skillsoftheirworkforcealongside filling skills gaps.
This week I’ll be seeing firsthand what apprenticeships can doforyoungpeopleandbusinesses by visiting apprentices in the automotive industry and to hear how partnerships between colleges, universities and employers arecreatinglocaltrainingandemploymentopportunities,enabling them to reach their career goals.
However,undertheConservatives,thesetrainingopportunities have been dwindling, especially for young people.
Locally the number of people starting an apprenticeship has fallen 57% with over 2,500 opportunities lost during the last decade.
The government’s approach to apprenticeships has let young people and small businesses down.
In 2017, the Tories introduced the“apprenticeshiplevy”forlarge employers and scrapped public fundingforapprenticeships.That means large employers have access to a pot of money to pay for apprenticeship training whilst smallerfirmshavetomakeitwork on their own.
Thecostsandrisksoftakingon new untrained staff and bureaucracy has resulted in far fewer small businesses taking on apprenticeships and, since 2017, apprenticeship starts have declined by over one third.
To help our communities flourish,weneedtosupportsmall businesses by making it easier for them to take on apprentices.
The money to support more apprenticeships is there - but this Governmentisasleepatthewheel when it comes to skills.
In the last three years, over £2billion of unspent apprenticeship levy funds have been sent back to the Treasury.
To change direction and secure the skills our country needs for the future, Labour has called on the government to introduce a wagesubsidy,fundedthroughthis unspent levy, which could have supported businesses to create 8,647 new apprenticeships in the North East this year.
Our young people are the future - but they’re an afterthought for the Tories. Ministers should listen to Labour, make the most of the underspent funding and secure the opportunities young people need to gain the skills they need to prosper.