For many years there has been an over emphasis on academic education and, with a desire that 50% of people should go to University, an undervaluing of vocational education. It is good to see that there is an increasing understanding of the importance of vocational education and the support and funding needed to ensure good quality apprenticeships.
Employers are increasingly seeing the value of apprentices who have the training in the specific skills that they need. As we increasingly face tough competition from oversees so the value of high quality apprenticeship training provided by organisations such as Alliance Learning, which is based in Horwich, are increasingly important.
Manufacturing is again growing strongly in Britain and so is the need for skilled apprentices. Many training providers and employers are working together to design apprenticeships to meet these needs. Within the Bolton West constituency there are numerous examples of great apprenticeships from Stateside Foods to MBDA and Proctor and Gamble.
Since 2010, Bolton West has seen 4,050 new apprenticeships and the Conservatives have ambitious plans for further increases. Having doubled the number of apprenticeships in this Parliament, so far, to nearly two million, the Conservatives will aim to end youth unemployment and deliver three million apprenticeships in the next Parliament.
Chris Green says “There has been a resurgence in good quality apprenticeships in recent years so I was delighted to visit Alliance Learning, in Horwich, to hear and see the great work that they are doing in training the next generation. Their close relationship with local schools and businesses from across the North West is a great example where training providers can meet the needs of employers and the aspirations of young people”.