Amanda Milling has welcomed new figures showing 1,120 new apprenticeships were started by people in Cannock Chase last year. In total 4,950 new apprenticeships have been started in Cannock Chase since 2010.
Across England more than 1.9 million apprenticeships have been started since 2010 – with the number of apprenticeships having more than doubled in this parliament.
The Prime Minister has announced that a future Conservative government would go even further: making a £1 billion commitment to deliver 3 million apprenticeships by 2020 and end youth unemployment, funded by reducing the maximum amount that can be claimed on benefits from £26,000 to £23,000, and limiting young people’s access to housing benefit.
This means more young people getting the skills they’ll need to get on in life. Scott Robinson is an apprentice here in Cannock. Scott joined Cannock’s Pertemps People Development Group (PPDG) and started his apprenticeship in January 2014 and is one of 4 apprentices that the organisation employ in their Cannock office.
Amanda Milling said: “These figures are great news, 4,950 new apprenticeships since 2010 means more young people in Cannock Chase getting the skills they’ll need for the future, as they are locally at Pertemps People Development Group.
“I have been hugely impressed by Scott Robinson, one of PPDG’s apprentices. In the last month alone, Scott has taken part in Coachright’s bid for new contracts at the Department for Work & Pensions and attended a meeting with Chris Grayling, Justice Secretary as part of his visit to Cannock. At both he made an invaluable contribution.
“And I’m pleased a future Conservative government would go even further, with a £1 billion commitment to deliver 3 million apprenticeships by 2020 and to end youth unemployment.
“By making sure, as part of our long-term economic plan, we deliver the best schools and skills for young people the Conservatives are ensuring the next generation have the skills and opportunities they’ll need to get a good job – so they can have a brighter, more secure future ahead of them.”
Local apprentice, Scott Robinson said: “It all started when I took part in Coachright’s National Citizenship Service programme. It was the best decision I’ve ever made, in fact you could say that it’s given me my life back. I could so easily have headed on the road to prison but thanks to the programme, I woke up to the reality of the situation and am now heading in a completely different direction.
“As an apprentice with Pertemps People Development Group I have had my eyes opened to a totally new world. The staff have given me something I can never fully pay back, respect, independence and responsibility. And I now have two families, both at home and at work, supporting me in my long term goal to become a sports coach.
“They have encouraged me to undertake a journey to become a more confident, motivated and responsible citizen, someone willing to give back to my community rather than to take from it.
“I now have an incredible opportunity to contribute to the welfare of others particularly those young people who are in a similar situation to my own: to encourage them to get on the right track for the benefit of a better society.”