22,000 young people in Cumbria help hit 2 million apprenticeship goal

In Cumbria 22,000 young people 'earning and learning' have helped hit the national two million apprenticeship goal said South Lakes MP Tim Farron.

Two million apprenticeships have been created in the UK since 2010 with 22,000 people in Cumbria getting a vital start in life. In Westmorland and Lonsdale 2,980 apprenticeships have been created since 2010.

Last week's figures released by the Skills Funding Agency and Department for Business, Innovation & Skills are for the full year 2013/14. The figures show that in Westmorland & Lonsdale in 2013/14 730 apprenticeships were started,

Tim said apprenticeships offered by companies performed a crucial role in the local economy and paid tribute to every business who has taken on an apprentice in the last few years.

Tim said: "Reaching this massive milestone is great news and Cumbria has played a key part of it. We have really pushed apprenticeships in the last few years and the figures show that our work has paid off.

"That is why I am delighted young people in Cumbria have benefited from fantastic training and employment opportunities that apprenticeships offer. I've seen for myself through all the visits I've done the opportunities in life an apprenticeship can offer, and I'm delighted that over two million young people across England have been able to take advantage of these opportunities."