Apprenticeships and Jobs up across the Constituency
Figures released recently show that in the year 2012/2013 there were no fewer than 480 places of work in Congleton employing apprentices. This is up by 100 from 2010/2011.
Reports suggest that many businesses have found that the Government reforms to the Apprenticeship Programme have made it simpler for businesses and better quality for apprentices, encouraging young people of those changing career and returning to work to learn and develop in work skills.
This news comes at the same time that employment figures show that the number of unemployment claimants in Congleton is down 491 since this time last year at 770, 62 lower than last month. This means that out of 650 constituencies (if 1 was the highest rate of unemployment and 650 the lowest), Congleton is 556th in the Country.
Fiona Bruce MP said “These latest employment figures show that this Constituency is an increasingly positive place to live and work. Organisations like the Job Clubs in Alsager, Middlewich and Congleton are doing great work in helping people find employment and there is a real atmosphere of enterprise in the area with many active small and medium firms speaking of an upturn in business and excellent local Chambers of Trade. The way Congleton business, such as Siemens, Barclays, Bentley and Cheshire East Council, have approached apprenticeships has been phenomenal. Apprenticeships are so important. The stature of an apprentice has rocketed recently with an absolute sea change in the attitude of Parliament towards further education opportunities outside the usual university mould and they now provide a real alternative for our young people to both learn extremely valuable skills whilst still earning a wage.”
If you are a business interested in taking on an apprentice or interested in becoming an apprentice yourself visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk
