Conor McGinn MP Member of Parliament for St Helens North
St Helens North MP Conor McGinn has warned of the potential impact on jobs and skills in St Helens after figures show the number of people starting apprenticeships across the borough has dropped by a fifth.
The Department for Education statistics show there were 2,850 apprenticeship starts in St Helens during the 2011/12 academic year, but this has dropped to 2,280 for the 2016/17 school year.
The figures show a growing skills crisis in St Helens, with 20 per cent fewer apprenticeship starts across the borough, some four times higher than the national average.\n
The Department for Education statistics show there were 2,850 apprenticeship starts in St Helens during the 2011/12 academic year, but this has dropped to 2,280 for the 2016/17 school year.
The figures show a growing skills crisis in St Helens, with 20 per cent fewer apprenticeship starts across the borough, some four times higher than the national average.\n
Young people in St Helens are particularly badly affected, with 22 per cent fewer under 19 year olds starting apprenticeships, when the national figure is just 7 per cent.
Mr McGinn has criticised the Government for leaving St Helens behind and not doing enough to support young people into apprenticeships across the borough.
Meanwhile, Labour has pledged to invest хЃ1 billion in vocational training and to reintroduce Educational Maintenance Allowance for young people as part of a new National Education Service, ensuring everyone can access high-quality education.
Commenting, Mr McGinn said:
“St Helens is a great place to learn, work and do business, with innovative local firms and a proud industrial heritage.
“But a shocking 20 per cent drop in apprenticeship starts across the borough in the last five years shows the Government is leaving St Helens behind and if this is not halted it will mean a jobs and skills crisis for future generations.
“This is also a let-down to St Helens College, the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses supporting apprenticeships.
“My top priority is to bring more jobs and investment to St Helens. Following the launch of the Government’s industrial strategy this week, I will be pressing ministers to make sure that strategy includes improving transport links and attracting investment to St Helens and across Merseyside.
“Young people deserve better, which is why Labour has pledged to reintroduce Educational Maintenance Allowance лв which was scrapped by the Tories лв and to invest хЃ1 billion in a new National Education Service.”
Mr McGinn has criticised the Government for leaving St Helens behind and not doing enough to support young people into apprenticeships across the borough.
Meanwhile, Labour has pledged to invest хЃ1 billion in vocational training and to reintroduce Educational Maintenance Allowance for young people as part of a new National Education Service, ensuring everyone can access high-quality education.
Commenting, Mr McGinn said:
“St Helens is a great place to learn, work and do business, with innovative local firms and a proud industrial heritage.
“But a shocking 20 per cent drop in apprenticeship starts across the borough in the last five years shows the Government is leaving St Helens behind and if this is not halted it will mean a jobs and skills crisis for future generations.
“This is also a let-down to St Helens College, the Chamber of Commerce and local businesses supporting apprenticeships.
“My top priority is to bring more jobs and investment to St Helens. Following the launch of the Government’s industrial strategy this week, I will be pressing ministers to make sure that strategy includes improving transport links and attracting investment to St Helens and across Merseyside.
“Young people deserve better, which is why Labour has pledged to reintroduce Educational Maintenance Allowance лв which was scrapped by the Tories лв and to invest хЃ1 billion in a new National Education Service.”
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