- The Conservative Government believes that everyone should have access to the high-quality education and training they need to build a brighter future, whether through study or work.
- Bim Afolami MP has welcomed that since 2010, 4,990 new apprenticeships have been created in Hitchin & Harpenden – as part of the Conservative Government’s drive to improve skills and productivity in our economy.
- Each new apprenticeship helps students to develop their skills, improve their earnings, and establish long and successful careers.
Bim Afolami MP has welcomed figures showing that 4,990 new apprenticeships have been created in Hitchin & Harpenden by the Conservative Governments since 2010.
Between 2010 and 2023, 4,990 new apprenticeships have been created in Hitchin & Harpenden and over 5.3 million apprenticeships have been created across England.
As well as driving up the number of people boosting their skills through apprenticeships, the Conservative Government’s reforms are also improving the quality of apprenticeships. £2.3 billion of additional funding has been announced for 2023-24 and 2023-25 – with colleges that deliver skills and training getting the most focused support.
Alongside reforms to apprenticeships, the Conservative Government has introduced T-Levels and established twelve Institutes of Technology. T-Levels provide students with vocational options as rigorous and robust as A-Levels, whilst Institutes of Technology will be the pinnacle of technical training.
As collaborations between universities, colleges and, business they will specialise in delivering quality, higher level technical training in STEM subjects, opening the door highly skilled careers.
Commenting, Bim Afolami MP said:
“Apprenticeships are fantastic ways for students to enter the world of work, helping them to build new skills and gain vital industry knowledge – all while being paid.
“It is brilliant news that 4,990 new apprenticeships have been created in Hitchin & Harpenden since 2010 thanks to successive Conservative governments – as part of the Conservative ‘s drive to improve skills and productivity in our economy.
“Opening up more opportunities for young people from Hitchin & Harpenden has been one of my top priorities. I am looking forward to joining Hitchin’s Amazing Apprenticeships and North Hertfordshire College on Friday for their National Apprenticeship Week networking event.
“Every new apprenticeship means another student building the skills and knowledge they need for a long and successful career.”
Commenting, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said:
“My apprenticeship was my golden ticket. It gave me a unique insight into how a business operated, from the shop floor to the boardroom. I learnt the skills that businesses truly value and it launched my career in international business.
“This National Apprenticeship week I hope more people learn about the incredible opportunities available in everything from engineering to healthcare. Whatever career goals you aspire to, they can be achieved through an apprenticeship which can take you all the way up to masters degree level.”
Notes to Editors
- Bim Afolami MP has welcomed figures showing that 4,990 new apprenticeships have been created in Hitchin & Harpenden by the Conservative Government since 2010. This figures makes up part of the 5.3 million new apprenticeships created nationally since 2010 (GovUK, Permanent data table, 26 January 2023, link).
- The Conservative Government is improving the quality of apprenticeships through additional funding. £2.3 billion of additional funding has been announced for 2023/24 and 2023/25 – with colleges that deliver skills and training getting the most focused support (HMT, Autumn Statement 2022, 17 November 2022, link).
- The Conservative Government has introduced T-Levels and established twelve Institutes of Technology. T-Levels provide students with vocational options as rigorous and robust as A-Levels, whilst Institutes of Technology will be the pinnacle of technical training (DfE, Policy paper, 7 June 2022, link); DfE, Guidance, 17 December 2021, link).
- Through the second round of the Levelling Up Fund, a project in Blackpool has been awarded £40 million to develop a high-tech educational facility focusing on artificial intelligence and automation (DLUHC, Guidance, 18 January 2023, link).
