Fewer Teesside apprenticeships is 'shameful', says Labour MP Tom Blenkinsop

Declining apprenticeship figures have been branded “shameful” by Labour party representatives on Teesside.

Tom Blenkinsop, Labour MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, said that across Teesside constituencies, figures from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills show almost 1,300 fewer young people starting apprenticeships in 2013-14 than in the previous year.

However, Stockton South Conservative MP James Wharton said the figures being used were “very selective” and that figures were much higher under the Coalition Government than they had been under Labour.

Labour candidate for Redcar, Anna Turley, and Louise Baldock, candidate for Stockton South, also hit out at the news that figures for apprenticeship starts dropped from 8,040 in 2012-13 to 6,750 the following year.

Mr Blenkinsop said: “Despite claims by the Coalition Government we are seeing the numbers of apprenticeships falling, these new figures show a worrying drop in apprenticeship starts for young people across Teesside.

“To grow the number of high-skilled, better-paid jobs we need more apprenticeship opportunities - particularly for our young people. It is shameful that under this Government the opportunity for a brighter future for our young people is fading away.”

But figures from earlier years showed the number of apprenticeship starts between 2005 and 2010 were in the region of 3,000-4,000, jumping up to almost 7,000 in 2010/11.

Last month an apprenticeship plan, which will see the creation of 5,000 apprenticeships nationally, was announced by Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, during a visit to the Cargo Fleet Lane site of Carillion Training Services.

Carillion itself committed to continue creating 100 apprenticeships a year for the next five years.

Ms Turley said: “Across Redcar we have seen a massive decrease of over 20% in young people starting apprenticeships. Lib Dem and Tory ministers should be embarrassed by their clear failure to provide opportunities for our young people, who will make up the next generation of workers.

“One of the first acts of a Labour Government would be a drive to transform technical and vocational education ensuring all apprenticeships are at Level 3 or above - the equivalent of A-levels - and aimed at young people. We particularly need to rebuild careers advice services, which have been decimated by this Government.

“When high-skilled, better paid jobs are available it is only right that local young people are in a position, with the appropriate skills, to be able to apply for them. Under this Government, this is shamefully not the case.”

Ms Baldock said: “Despite the Conservatives trying to persuade us that things are improving hugely across Teesside, local people are not fools. We know how tough it is for our young people to find a job or get a start. 250 fewer apprenticeships in Stockton South means 250 youngsters with lost opportunities.”

But Mr Wharton said: “The official figures show just how much things have improved in our area after years of neglect under Labour and the wrecked economy they left behind. The average number of apprenticeship starts under the last government was 3,612 a year compared to 7,435 since the last election.

“This government is determined to continue delivering our long term economic plan and investing in Teesside. Steel making is back and Hitachi is bringing train making to our doorstep.

“The figures year on year will always go up and down and of course we want them to go up, but the real picture shows just how much has been achieved and that things are getting better.”