Henry Smith MP has welcomed new figures showing 760 new apprenticeships were started by people in Crawley last year (2014/15).

Henry said;

"I’m pleased to see that 760 apprenticeships were started in Crawley in 2014/15 – up by 30 on the previous year.

"Apprenticeships give young people the skills to succeed and get on in life – a total of 3,930 new apprenticeships have been started in Crawley since 2010."

The figures show a rise in the number of apprenticeships started across the South East of England; up by 8 per cent in in 2014/15 from the year before.

In total, 2.4 million apprenticeships were started in England over the last parliament. The Government are committed to go further over the next five years, and ensure a further 3 million apprenticeships by 2020.

This is being funded by an apprenticeships levy on large employers, who will have control over funding to ensure it is giving young people skills needed to succeed.

These figures follow Henry’s recent visit to the new Central Sussex College Advance Technology Centre, on Monday 9th November.

Henry continued;

"I’m grateful to Principal Sarah Wright for inviting me to see Central Sussex College’s new Advance Technology Centre. When completed, this facility will offer increased STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) further education provision for local students.

"I’m pleased to see the College, the Manor Royal Business Improvement District and the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership working together to help our young people."

The five month project, which sees the redevelopment and extension of an existing college site, is expected to provide an additional 770 places for school leavers, apprentices and adult learners.