Farron: 22,000 apprenticeships created in Cumbria

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has thanked local businesses after figures showed that since 2010 over 22,000 apprenticeships have been created in Cumbria.

The figure has been released in response to a parliamentary question from Tim to the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills. Tim asked how many new apprenticeships were created in (a) Cumbria and (b) South Lakeland in each year since 2005. In reply, the minister Nick Boles released figures which show that since 2010/11 22,200 apprenticeships have been created in Cumbria.

The figures also show that in Westmorland & Lonsdale we have seen a further increase in apprenticeships and have now created 2,980 since 2010. This is up from 2,800 which was the figure released in September.

In the county 470 businesses have received a £1500 government grant to help and support them to take on an apprentice.

Tim has today paid tribute to Kendal College and local businesses for taking on apprentices. He has also urged local businesses who haven't looked so far at taking on an apprentice to do so. He believes they will find it incredibly rewarding for their business but also seeing a person develop and learn a skill.

Tim said: "Nearly 3,000 people across the South Lakes have now have had the opportunity to benefit from a variety of apprenticeships that will help to provide them with the skills they need to build their careers.

"More important than the headline figures are the human stories behind them - more people having a job and a chance to earn and learn. That is more people and their families who are seeing the chance of a well-paid job move a step closer.

"These figures are fantastic news for South Lakeland and for Cumbria and they show that local campaigning really does pay off and make a difference."