Local MP Maria Miller welcomes National Apprenticeship Week 2021, which this year shines a light on the apprentices and employers who have gone above and beyond during the pandemic.
To kick off the week, the government has announced brand new sector specific traineeship pilots in construction and rail to start this summer so more young people can gain the skills and confidence they need to get a job, or progress into an apprenticeship in key sectors of the economy.
Apprentices from all walks of life have been working on the front line and many have played a key role in supporting the country throughout the pandemic. Apprenticeships and traineeships play a vital role in making sure people have the skills they need to get a well-paid job. They play a key part in the government’s Plan for Jobs, designed to protect, support and create jobs for all ages as we build back better from the pandemic.
Basingstoke’s MP Maria Miller said, “Coronavirus has had a huge impact on lives and livelihoods. This National Apprenticeship Week we should celebrate the apprentices up and down the country who have been stepping up throughout the pandemic.
In Basingstoke we have BCOT, one of the largest providers of apprenticeships in the region. Offering more than 60 different apprenticeship programmes, to start an exciting career in a wide range of industries - everything from business, construction, engineering to hospitality and barbering. BCOT works with both large and small employers across all industry sectors.”
Apprenticeships make sense for young people across Basingstoke which is why 4240 new apprentices have started since May 2015 and over 2.6 million new apprenticeships have started across England.
I am calling on everyone to get involved in to raise awareness of all the fantastic opportunities that are out there.”
Thousands of virtual events will take place throughout National Apprenticeship Week with leading employers including Rolls-Royce, Capgemini and Virgin Media, giving people the chance to find out more about the amazing benefits apprenticeships offer.
To support employers to take on more apprentices the government is offering up to £2,000 for each new apprentice they hire. Almost nineteen thousand applications have been submitted by employers. The cash boost is available until March 2021, so businesses can create even more opportunities and give more people the life changing chance to start a great career.
Employers can also now apply for a £1000 cash boost to help them take on new trainees.