MP welcomes more apprenticeship funding

At today's meeting in Kendal, Lib Dem councillors voted for funding to be allocated to help young people into work. £20,000 will support more apprenticeships and a further £10,000 will fund a new pilot project to provide traineeships or work experience for disadvantaged young people. South Lakes MP Tim Farron has praised Cumbria County Council's Local Committee for South Lakeland for securing more funding for apprenticeships.

Cllr. Shirley Evans, Chair of the Children and Young People's Working Group said: "I am very pleased that we are able to continue our long standing support for apprenticeships. I am also very excited by our new scheme, which will help those young people who need extra support to access training and work. This will help to make sure that our most vulnerable young people, such as those leaving care, are able to access the same opportunities as everyone else."

In the last five years Tim has been campaigning to improve apprenticeships and to help local people earn and learn at the same time. Since 2010 over 22,000 apprenticeships have been created in Cumbria. In the county 470 businesses have received a £1500 government grant to help and support them to take on an apprentice.

Tim added: "We are working incredibly hard to boost and promote apprenticeships and this funding will help make a difference. It will help to make sure that everyone knows that no matter your background, age, gender or disability you can be an apprentice.

"It is great that big organisations like Gilkes and Croppers are able to provide these opportunities, but we must also pay tribute to smaller businesses such as local hairdressers and mechanics as well as the fantastic work of Kendal College, all of whom have contributed to ensuring our young people can have the future they deserve."