James Naish, MP for Rushcliffe, has welcomed a package of government measures to help young people across Rushcliffe gain the skills, training and opportunities they need to build successful careers.
The new support will help to break down barriers to apprenticeships and technical education, while providing additional support for employers to create more opportunities for young people entering the world of work.
Key interventions include a new bursary, worth up to £4,500 per year per household, which will help to remove financial barriers that prevent young people from taking up an apprenticeship due to other lost income. The government is also creating more than 22,000 additional places across colleges and post-16 providers, backed by a £287 million investment. These offers follow announcements about fully funded apprenticeship training for all eligible under-25s from August, and up to £8,000 in support for small and medium-sized enterprises hiring young apprentices.
Building on the Prime Minister’s announcement about wider reforms to give 14-year-olds greater access to technical learning and meaningful work experience, these changes will help more young people aged 16 to 19 to develop practical skills and real-world experience as they move into the next stage of education and training.
James Naish, MP for Rushcliffe, said:
“Every young person in Rushcliffe deserves the opportunity to build a successful future, whether that is through university, an apprenticeship, college or employment.
“We know that young people need a range of different pathways to succeed, and that technical education, apprenticeships and hands-on learning should be valued just as much as academic routes – even in places like Rushcliffe where many young people will still choose to go to university.
“These policies will help to remove barriers, to open up new opportunities and to ensure young people have the skills, confidence and experience they need to thrive.”
The announcements are underpinned by significant investment in education across Rushcliffe, with over £80 million being invested or committed to over the past two years including primary school upgrades in Sutton Bonington, Keyworth and Ruddington; and secondary school expansions in West Bridgford and Keyworth. A new Centre for Sustainable Construction Technology is also due to open this September on Nottingham College’s Ruddington Campus and will offer Level 4 and 5 qualifications to address local skills shortages.
James Naish added:
“Creating opportunities for young people does not stop at the school gates. We need to make sure that young people leaving education can access good jobs, training and support to start their careers.
“Rushcliffe is home to many successful businesses and employers, so I also want to encourage local organisations to look at how they could benefit from government schemes including the Youth Jobs Grant.
“By investing in schools, expanding skills opportunities and supporting employers, we can help ensure young people across Rushcliffe have the tools they need to succeed in the future.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors
- Businesses can apply for the Youth Jobs Grant at the following link: www.gov.uk/applyyouthjobsgrant
- More information and guidance about the Youth Jobs Grant can be found at www.gov.uk/government/publications/youth-jobs-grant/youth-jobs-grant-grant-guidance
