Henry Smith MP has welcomed new plans to set up a Traineeship programme for young people.

The new programme, announced by Skills Minister, Matthew Hancock MP, will provide young people aged 16 to 24 with a tailor-made package of support that will give them the confidence, skills and experience to compete in the labour market with more experienced adults. The Government have published a discussion paper inviting views on the policy.

Henry commented: 

“This is great news for young people trying to get a foot on the work ladder. Conservatives in Government are making sure our young people have the skills they need to compete and succeed in work.  Following a 74 per cent rise in apprenticeship numbers and work towards the town’s new university presence, 820 Crawley residents started apprenticeships last year. This traineeship programme will help more young people like them compete successfully and get jobs.

“Ministers are doing everything possible to grow our economy and allow the private sector to build sustainable jobs for families across the country. Since coming to power, the Government has introduced the largest welfare to work programme the UK has seen since the Great Depression, developed a £1 billion package to help get our young people into work, and given apprenticeships to 142 young people every single day.

“To boost entrepreneurship, the Government has launched the New Enterprise Allowance to help the long-term unemployed to start their own businesses. This has seen over 8,000 new companies set up and nearly 20,000 people have started working with a business mentor.

“Progress is being made with almost 750,000 more people in employment than at the election. The private sector has created over 1 million new jobs. National unemployment is down by 50,000 since the last quarter and in Crawley there are about 250 less claimants than this time last year.

“This Government is doing everything possible to get Great Britain moving – slashing red tape, reforming welfare, and providing the funding necessary to allow people to unlock the entrepreneurship in our economy.” 

Matthew Hancock MP, Minister for Skills, commented: 

“We want to support everyone in our country to reach their personal best. To do that, we are introducing Traineeships to help young people with the skills they need to get a job, and hold down a job.

“That’s vital for our economy to compete in the global race. And it’s a question of fairness. Traineeships will give young people the helping hand and experience they need to compete for Apprenticeships and good jobs.”