Good news from Yorkshire last week with the announcement that over 500 new apprenticeships have been started in the region over the last three years. That number was made possible in large part by the formation in 2013 of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Between January 2013 to March 2016, the region saw the creation of 512 apprenticeships were started for 16-24 year olds in companies with no previous record of offering training-related employment. That means a total of 724 businesses were engaged in Leeds over the first phase of the programme.
Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for employment, enterprise and opportunity said: “We are working extremely hard with a range of partners to open up new and exciting apprenticeship opportunities in Leeds for our young people. It is extremely positive news therefore that this innovative programme by the LEP, which the council has helped to deliver through the Leeds Apprenticeship Hub, has created over 500 meaningful and paid apprenticeships for 18-24 year olds. With the scheme now extended until October this year, I hope that we will see more businesses wanting to get involved.”
