Labour

We need more rigorous apprenticeships for young people - Twigg and Marsden

Stephen Twigg MP, Labour’s Shadow Education Secretary, responding to David Cameron’s article on apprenticeships, said:

"It's good that the Prime Minister now agrees apprenticeships should be a gold standard, something Labour has been arguing for some time.

“However, the Government is in danger of undermining a quality brand, as too many apprenticeships are actually short term training courses for existing workers. They are also downgrading important vocational courses like engineering and construction.

“We need more rigorous apprenticeships for young people so parents can be as proud of their child getting an apprenticeship as a place at university. Sadly, the numbers of new apprenticeships for 16-18 year olds is actually falling.”

Gordon Marsden MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Further Education, Skills & Regional Growth, said:

“David Cameron is clearly a fan of ‘Have I Got Old News for You’ as his apprenticeship announcement today is simply a rehash of three unconnected initiatives which were unveiled last Autumn. The funds for employers are being sliced from money which has been going to colleges and training providers who should be at the heart of the apprenticeship expansion.   
 
“The Government should back Labour’s plan to empower small and medium employers in the regions to take on apprentices by boosting group training organisations and using Government procurement in a smarter way to increase opportunities.”