Business Secretary Vince Cable has announced that the government has fulfilled its commitment to starting 2 million apprenticeships in this parliament. This achievement highlights the continued success of apprenticeships since 2010 in giving people the skills they need to get on and in supporting businesses of all sizes to grow their talent.
To mark the occasion, the Business Secretary met the 2 millionth apprentice, Paige McConville in Oxford. Paige, aged 16, began her Advanced Apprenticeship in Engineering Manufacture with high-tech engineering firm, FMB Oxford in August 2014. Paige took the Business Secretary on a tour of FMB Oxford, explaining how her apprenticeship with the firm is giving her the skills she needs to begin her career as an engineer. The Business Secretary also visited Abingdon and Witney College where Paige and her fellow apprentices study.
Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “Reaching the 2 millionth apprenticeship is testament to this government’s commitment to apprenticeships. Paige and her employer are a shining example of how apprenticeships give young people the chance to start a career and give businesses the talent to grow. This isn’t just about numbers. From space engineering, to TV production, to legal services, apprenticeships are the ticket to a great job and a route employers trust to access the skills they need.”
Skills Minister Nick Boles said: “Apprenticeships have a vital role to play in supporting the long term economic plan. Thanks to our reforms and through the support of employers like FMB Oxford, apprenticeships are a solid route into some of the country’s most prestigious professions. Two million is just the start – I want to see more employers making apprentices a key part of their strategies for growth. The Business Secretary also announced 22 new employer-designed apprenticeships in professions ranging from data analysis to civil engineering to health and social care. The employers, who are part of the government’s trailblazer scheme, design apprenticeships to meet the needs of their industries making sure people have the right skills to get on in the world of work.”
