Boost for Rochdale apprentices

A funding boost could see more apprenticeship places available for young people and adults throughout Rochdale.

The number of people completing an apprenticeship has risen by 112% over the last three years from 225 in 2002/03 to 477 in 2005/06.

The Prime Minister Gordon Brown has now announced £140 million of extra funding for an additional 35,000 apprentices across the country in the next twelve months.

Jim Dobbin, Labour MP for Heywood and Middleton, welcomed the move. He said: “In the current economic downturn, it’s vital that we continue to invest in the economy and make sure people in our borough have the skills they need to succeed in the future.

“In our area we’ve already seen a revival of apprenticeships with a 112 % increase in just three years. The funding announced by Gordon Brown this week means we can have even more apprenticeships in the coming year.

“Not only will this investment help us get through the economic downturn, it will also ensure we have more skilled workers for the future so our area can benefit from the upturn.

“But while the Labour Government is expanding apprenticeships, Tory plans to cut spending next year could actually see over 220,000 apprenticeship places slashed across the country. That would be a disaster for our area.”