Chloe SmithMP for Norwich North
Chloe SmithChloe Smith, MP for Norwich North, has welcomed the new gold standard in apprenticeships laid out in this week’s Enterprise Bill. The Bill, debated in Parliament on Tuesday, will protect the term “apprenticeship” in law, thereby preventing misuse.
Commenting on the Bill Chloe said:
“This is an unmissable opportunity to change lives, boost skills and increase productivity in Norwich and our wider economy. There are now more people doing an apprenticeship than ever before. In East Anglia we’ve seen 237,940 apprenticeship starts since 2010, with over 7,600 of those in Norwich.
“This Bill brings together some of the UK’s leading businesses to help raise the status of apprenticeships in the labour market; making employers lead the system is good for the present and future workforce. Higher and degree level apprenticeships in particular will help equip our young people with the skills they need to succeed.”
The Government aims to deliver 3 million apprenticeship starts in England within this Parliament; an increase on the 2.3 million achieved in the previous Parliament. All major Government contracts must demonstrate a clear commitment to this. With more than £50 billion a year spent on procurement contracts, this is expected to significantly boost apprenticeship numbers.
The Institute for Apprenticeships (IFA) is a new public body with responsibility for assuring the quality. The IFA will enshrine the employer-led approach both in the way it conducts its business and through its leadership. Judgements on apprenticeship quality will be made independently of Government.
Commenting on the proposals Chloe said:
“The measures put forward in this Bill will strengthen and protect the reputation of the apprenticeship brand for training providers, employers and apprentices themselves.
“We’ve also seen recently the shocking analysis that an average young person living within the Norwich City Council area has worse life-chances than almost anywhere else in England. That’s appalling. I hope that an ambitious approach to the provision of skills and qualifications like gold-standard apprenticeships will help young people make their way in life.”