Chesterfield MP Toby, who serves as Shadow Skills Minister, is calling on the government to adopt Labour’s plan to create 100,000 new apprenticeships for young people across the country as part of his celebration of National Apprenticeship Week.

This would mean 9,586 new apprenticeship opportunities in the East Midlands for young people.

National Apprenticeships Week, which runs from 7th – 13th February, recognises the enormous contribution made by apprentices and their employers both here in Chesterfield, and nationwide, are giving people the chance to earn as they learn and delivering the skills our country needs to prosper.

However, under the Conservatives these training opportunities have been disappearing especially for young people. The government has overseen a decline in apprenticeship starts since 201.

To reverse this downward trend and secure the skills our country needs for the future, Labour has called on the government to introduce a wage subsidy. This subsidy would be funded from underspent funding in the apprenticeships levy – a charge large employers have to pay to government.

Backed by the Association of Employers and Learning Providers (AELP), Labour’s plan could have created 100,000 new apprenticeships for 16-24-year olds across England this year.

Toby said “I’m pleased to back National Apprenticeship Week, recognising the enormous contribution made by apprentices to our economy and wider society.

“However, the Government is failing to create the opportunities young people and our local economy need to prosper.

“I am calling on the Government to adopt Labour’s wage subsidy policy to boost opportunities for young people to secure our economy post pandemic.”