MP hails new apprenticeships for the South Lakes

South Lakeland MP Tim Farron has welcomed news of 15 new apprenticeship programmes to be made available to 16-18 year olds in South Lakes.

The South Lakeland Local Committees Children and Young Peoples working group apprenticeship initiative, will see a variety of local employers offer opportunities in the district, encompassing areas such as web programming, joinery, business administration, soft furnishing and maintenance fitting, along with others. The Local Committee will finance the project totalling £30,000 of targeted funding set aside to help small, local businesses offer apprenticeship opportunities.

This particular programme, put together by the South Lakeland Local Committee Children and Young people's working group is designed specifically to enable small businesses in South Lakes to offer high quality education and training via Kendal College.

Commenting Tim said: "This is fantastic news for young people in the South Lakes, and will provide a boost to both individuals and the local economy. It is vital that we continue to support local businesses with initiatives like this, and offer young people access to the employment and vocational training they need to find lasting, sustainable work.

"By equipping youngsters with practical skills and knowledge through full time employment, we can ensure a long term future for both individuals and businesses in South Lakes"

Lib Dem County Councillor and Spokesperson on Children and Young People, Clare Feeney-Johnson said: "We have been listening to the needs of our local young people, quality training and employment opportunities allowing them to stay in the area. This is the first phase of our scheme and we are really pleased with the varied and diverse range of opportunities local small specialist businesses have brought forward. We have a wealth of specialist small businesses in the area and we need to ensure a path way of learning and skill preparation to meet their needs exists."