Marking National Apprenticeship Week, Nigel Evans, Member of Parliament for the Ribble Valley and Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons, has welcomed the 47.1% increase in the number of people starting an apprenticeship in the Ribble Valley last year.

As of 7th February 2012, businesses and training providers can bid for a share of £6 million from the Higher Apprenticeship Fund, which will support the development of thousands of new Higher Apprenticeships in sectors including aerospace, energy and renewable technologies; small and medium-sized businesses without any apprentices who hire one aged 16-24 are eligible for a £1,500 bonus, with up to 40,000 payments available and businesses can bid for a share of a £250 million fund to boost skills in their workplace, giving employers rather than training providers direct access to funding for training.

Speaking from Westminster, Mr Evans said:

“National Apprenticeship Week is a great opportunity to congratulate apprentices across Ribble Valley on the fantastic work they are doing and to highlight the huge benefits apprenticeships bring. We now have 1000 apprentices in the Ribble Valley.

“Apprenticeships allow people to earn and learn at the same time, while significantly increasing their potential future earnings. But the benefits go wider than that – every £1 spent on an apprenticeship returns an estimated benefit of £18 to the economy.

“That’s why it is such great news that 320 more people in the Ribble Valley started an apprenticeship last year which is a massive 47.1% increase on the previous year.

“I would urge people of all ages to consider becoming an apprentice and seize the opportunities that this government has opened up.”