Kerry McCarthy calls on Council to “Back Young Britain”

MP for Bristol East, Kerry McCarthy has written to Jan Ormondroyd, Chief Executive of Bristol City Council, asking how the Council plans to develop apprenticeship opportunities for Bristol’s young people.

Her letter is in response to concerns expressed by Ministers that the public sector accounts for 20% of the UK workforce, but only 10% of apprenticeship starts.

I want to find out exactly what Bristol City Council is doing: Kerry McCarthy

The public sector as a whole has committed to another 21,000 apprenticeship places this year, and the Local Government Association has pledged to double the number of apprentices working in local government to 15,000. Kerry has welcomed this as a positive sign of progress, however she wants Bristol to play its part too.

So far the Council has committed £190,000 to develop apprenticeships following Labour’s recession action plan last year, and the West of England Partnership has made a successful bid for the Government’s Future Jobs Fund for a £1.3 million grant which will be used to create new opportunities for young people

Kerry is encouraging Bristol City Council to go further and create more apprenticeship opportunities for our young people, particularly as Local Authorities will be responsible by 2013 for ensuring that all young people are supported to continue education or training post-16.

Speaking about the issue, Kerry said: “It’s really important that the public, and not just the private sector gets involved in helping our young people through this recession by ensuring there are placements available, and also that they have access to the information they need and are aware of the help that is on offer. I want to find out exactly what Bristol City Council is doing to guarantee opportunities for all.”