National Apprenticeships Week

The new Labour Government is getting on with the job, and has brought forward plans to break down barriers for young people undertaking an apprenticeship.

I was an apprentice, and I’m proud of it. I left school at 16 and after an initial summer job and training placement in the NHS, I was lucky enough to secure an apprenticeship as a technician. It opened doors for me with a day training each week at Oldham College and then real hands on experience in the workplace.

I know the importance of practical skills and I want to boost opportunities for young people in the same way. And the country needs it!

The national skills gap is a critical issue affecting economic growth and productivity, and I believe a key way to address this gap is through implementing greater skills training for young people that meet the demands of the evolving job market.

Now, apprentices over 19 will no longer need Level 2 English and maths qualifications to complete their course which will enable 10,000 more people to qualify every year.

Throughout my time as an MP, I have repeatedly called for the Government to reflect on the support, resource, and funding we provide to boosting apprenticeships and breaking down barriers for young people.

As early as 2017, I addressed educational attainment in Oldham in Parliament, emphasising the importance of incorporating vocational skills, such as mechanics and joinery, into the curriculum. I believe that young people should be taught practical skills to prepare for various vocations and shouldn’t be restricted narrowly to academic routes. Every young person is different, and pathways into work should reflect this. Apprenticeships widen opportunities through the development of practical skills, hands-on experience, and learning on the job.

They offer a path to a decent life, rewarded with jobs that make the country tick and which offer career progression with good pay.

I believe that employer-led training is the most effective way of meeting our growing skills gap as well as widening participation for young people into the job market. They can be an effective way of readying young people for the world of work, while also offering a meaningful alternative to higher education. I, therefore, welcome the Government’s announcement and will continue to champion vocational pathways.