Gordon Praises Local Colleges In Commons
Gordon has praised the contribution of Blackpool colleges, local businesses and local learning providers over apprenticeships while working to to expand them through local and national action.
Gordon spoke in opening for the opposition a major debate in Parliament on the future of apprenticeships on the eve of the Christmas recess. He singled out Blackpool and Fylde College, local companies like BAE systems the construction business Ameon, along with Fylde initiatives like the Blackpool Gazette’s ‘100 days’ drive to recruit new apprenticeships and the current Bonanza initiative – to get young people training and access to Apprenticeships in which Blackpool police officer Steve Hodgkins, Blackpool FC the Prince’s Trust and Lancashire Fir and Rescue Services are all involved.
Gordon suggested schemes to give money directly to employers for training risked ‘deadweight’ – for training they would have done anyway. He said it would take the money from FE colleges like Blackpool and the Fylde and learning providers who were crucial ‘middle men’ in making connections between employers and young people to set up successful apprenticeships – ‘I learned that talking to my FE college and to the apprentices and small businesses with whom they bonded’ – a reference to the in-depth meeting we had with Blackpool employers and their apprentices at the Bispham campus earlier in the year.
He also called for the Government to change their plans and ‘link local and regional growth into their skills polices… why did we have to wait a year for them to talk about setting up apprenticeships hubs in city areas… and are not second tier and seaside towns also entitled to an apprenticeship hub locally.’
Commenting after the debate Mr Marsden said, ‘with over 20 per cent of our young people in Blackpool not in employment, education or training – the Government has to sharpen up its act and make life easier- by incentives and cutting red tape for our local small businesses to take them on the apprentice route. They’ve also got to create economic growth – by cutting VAT on the High Street and on repairs, renewals and in construction, to give these businesses confidence to take these young people on.’
Read Gordon's Address To The Commons: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm111219/debtext/111219-0002.htm#11121914000065
