Official figures show a massive rise in the number of apprentices being taken on both in Harlow and nationally.
The statistics show that in Harlow alone the number of apprentices appointed since there has been a Conservative-led Government has rocketed by 73 per cent – from 450 in 2009-10 to a provisional figure of 780 for 2010-11. This is above the national average increase of 58 per cent.
Nationally the total number of apprentices rose from 279,700 in 2009-10 to a provisional level of 442,700 in 2010-11.
This is fantastic news and clearly shows that businesses not just locally but across the country are seeing the benefits there are in having apprentices working in their workplaces.
Recently, wiith the continued support of Harlow College, I appointed my second apprentice to work with in my House of Commons office. I was the first MP to appoint an apprentice to work in Parliament.
I am a great believer in apprentices and apprenticeships and I am continuing with a campaign to bring a University Technical College to Harlow. This would be new ‘apprentice school’ which would focus on medical technology and engineering.
The Apprentice Card is another massive step forward. It is an NUS card which gives financial benefits and high street discounts to apprentices to put them on an equal playing field with university students.
I also founded the Parliamentary Academy - an apprentice school in Parliament giving young people from ordinary backgrounds the chance to earn a decent wage and get a foot on the career ladder in politics.
Mr Halfon’s campaigning work was recently acknowledged in the House of Commons by Employment Minister Chris Grayling who paid tribute to Mr Halfon’s work.
He said: “Robert Halfon is a model example of how an individual member of Parliament can make a real difference, by identifying an issue where they can transform people's prospects.
“His work on apprenticeships is a credit to him, and a credit to this House."For more information -
P.S. The picture shows me with my second apprentice, Louis Luck, with Essex FSB and Harlow Chamber of Commerce at my business surgery.
1) Video link – Backing for Apprentice Schools - http://roberthalfon.blogspot.com/2011/11/government-backs-new-apprentice-school.html
2) My campaign for a University Technical College in Harlow - http://roberthalfon.blogspot.com/2011/03/david-cameron-supports-harlow-college.html
3) Delivering the Apprentice Card - http://roberthalfon.blogspot.com/2011/06/national-apprentice-card.html
4) The Parliamentary Academy. For more details, visit http://www.parliamentaryacademy.com/
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