Feryal Clark MP demands Government reverses downward trend in apprentice numbers in Enfield North

Feryal Clark, MP for Enfield North, is demanding the Government reverses the downward trend in apprenticeships in Enfield North after new figures emerge showing a worrying decline in new apprentices.

Apprentices provide people with the chance to learn a trade and earn a wage whilst they progress in their career of choice. Investing in training opportunities will be central to rebuilding our economy after the pandemic.

The Government is failing to reverse a downward trend in apprentice numbers, with figures showing the number of apprenticeships in Enfield North has fallen by 810 since 2015/16.

In July, the Government announced a cash incentive of either £2,000 or £1,500 for employers to take on a new apprentice. The ‘Plan for Jobs’ budgeted for 100,000 incentive payments, but new data shows just 18,670 apprentices had been taken on under the scheme by 8 January 2021 which runs to March 2021.

Feryal Clark, MP for Enfield North, said:

“The dramatic decline in the number of new apprentices starting in Enfield North should concern us all. Without this vital route into the world of work, supported with decent training and education, we will see a generation of people losing out to opportunities they so desperately need.

“I’m calling on the Government to act now to create more apprenticeships in our community by creating a wage subsidy from the underspend of the apprenticeships levy. This would create 85,000 new apprenticeships for 16-24 year olds this year alone.

“This is more than just a problem that harms the future prospects of young people, it undermines our businesses in Enfield North as well. Continued lack of support from the Government means they will miss out on talented individuals who can help our economy recover from the Covid recession. The Government had an opportunity during National Apprenticeship Week to right this wrong and act, but they didn’t.”