MPs launch 100 in 100 apprenticeship campaign

Skills Minister Nick Boles and Nadhim Zahawi MP, apprenticeship adviser to the Prime Minister, are among a number of MPs introducing the ‘100 in 100 apprenticeship campaign’.

The campaign is part of the government’s wider aim to achieve three million apprenticeship starts by 2020 and will see MPs across England securing apprenticeship pledges from businesses to achieve a minimum of 100 new apprenticeships in the next 100 days.

So far, over 400 apprenticeship places have been promised by international employers, including Balfour Beatty, Syngenta, MBDA, Atkins Global Group and Pendragon, who have made their pledges on the Pledgeometer, an online tool for businesses to share their apprenticeship and traineeship pledges in the run up to National Apprenticeship Week.

Boles said: “Apprenticeships are set to be one of the success stories of the decade. They deliver for business, our economy and offer life-changing opportunities for our young people. That’s exactly why we are committed to three million apprenticeships by 2020.

“I am greatly encouraged to see so many MPs become apprenticeship champions and would urge even more to go out and encourage employers in their constituencies to create 100 apprenticeships in 100 days."

Zahawi said: “Now is the time for MPs from across the political spectrum to build on the growing momentum behind apprenticeships across their local constituencies. I am heartened by the optimism from businesses to create better products and greater services as a result of employing highly-skilled apprentices. Equally, local MPs can play their part by highlighting how apprenticeship opportunities can open doors for young people in their favoured careers."