Apprenticeship numbers continue to grow in Keighley and Ilkley

In total, 3,860 new apprenticeships have been started in Keighley and Ilkley since 2010.

In the Yorkshire and Humber region as a whole, 9,500 new apprenticeships were created in the 2014-15 financial year – up 17.8 per cent in comparison with 12 months ago.

Mr Hopkins said the figures – produced by the Skills Funding Agency and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills – highlighted the Government’s continuing success in providing young people with the skills they need to enter the world of work.

He added: “Getting young people into good local jobs has always been a personal priority for me.

“We have an enviable advanced manufacturing base in Keighley and Ilkley but, to protect this, we need significant numbers of young, properly-skilled workers to be available to fill vacancies when firms expand or long-serving staff members choose to retire.

“These apprenticeship figures show we are succeeding, which is tremendous news for the young individuals concerned, local employers and also the wider economy from which we all benefit.

“The Conservative-led Coalition Government delivered 2.4 million apprenticeships in England in the last Parliament. The recently-elected majority Conservative Government plans to deliver three million more new apprenticeships by 2020. This is being funded by an apprenticeships levy on large employers, who will have control over funding to ensure it is giving young people the skills they will need to succeed.

“I am delighted we have got off to a strong start in Keighley and Ilkley as we seek to provide our young people with high quality training, a proper trade and the prospect of a better future.”

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