Apprenticeships are crucial. They provide young people with good jobs – as well as skills which will benefit them for their entire career.

This National Apprenticeship Week, I want to pay tribute to all local businesses who employ apprentices – as well as the likes of Trafford College and University Academy 92 which provide the academic component of apprentice training.

But all too often, businesses who would like to hire apprentices are being hampered by red tape and unnecessary admin.

Over the last five years, the number of apprenticeships started in Stretford & Urmston has dropped by nearly 25% as the Tories failed to listen to businesses about what they need.

I want more young people in every part of the UK to have the opportunity to get an apprenticeship, which is why the Labour Government are:

• Creating shorter, more flexible apprenticeships
• Slashing red tape so providers can focus on their apprentices – not admin
• Creating a new app to provide tools and resources to all apprentices

Under Labour, we are already seeing an increase in apprenticeships being started with nearly 20,000 started in the North West in 2024/25.

This is one part of our Youth Guarantee plan – which will make sure all young people across Britain are either earning or learning.

Andrew Western MP

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