New figures show more young people taking an apprenticeship - Farron

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has highlighted new figures that shows that young people in Cumbria are taking up training and apprenticeships.

New figures from local authorities, released by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills reveal the proportion of school leavers embarking on apprenticeships has risen by more than 15% in just 1 year. 5% more 16- and 17-year-olds are in apprenticeships - up from 41,738 last year to 49,228 this year.

In Cumbria we have seen 8.9% of 16 and 17 year olds taking up an apprenticeship. Locally since 2010, over 2,440 apprenticeships have been started and we have seen a doubling of apprenticeship places.

Tim has repeatedly thanked local businesses for hiring apprentices and he has urged even more businesses to keep investing in our local young people, by looking at if they can offer an apprenticeship place.

The county council's Lib Dem-run local committee have also agreed a fund for apprenticeships in the South Lakes. The money is targeted at small and medium sized businesses, for young people not currently in employment or training. Small and medium sized businesses will be given up to £2,500 to support them in training an apprentice.

Tim said: "Degrees are great, but they are not the only way to get on in life. Learning skills and developing experience in whatever way is good for you is far more important."

"I want to thank local businesses who have taken on an apprentice. It really makes a massive difference. More young people across the South Lakes than ever before now have the opportunity to benefit from a variety of apprenticeships. I want us to build on this success and do even more to help our local young people."