Improving skill levels is the key to capitalise on success when North West economy starts to revive
Date Posted: 02 March 2009
That's the view of Minister for the North West Beverley Hughes, who was speaking via a video message to the North West Apprenticeship Conference held in Knowsley, Merseyside.
The minister's message follows news from the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills that the number of apprentices qualifying in the North West has more than doubled in the last four years.
The number of apprentices who have qualified in the North West has risen from 8,490 in 2004 / 2005 to 19,000 in 2007/8.
The Apprenticeship conference was organised by North West Employers, which is the employers' organisation for local authorities in the North West of England, in partnership with the Regional Leaders' forum 4NW as part of National Apprenticeship week
The aim of the conference was to raise awareness of the commitment to increase the number of apprenticeships among local authorities and other government bodies in the North West and to stimulate action.
The conference was attended by senior council managers and elected members from across the region and apprenticeships were highlighted as part of a wider strategy to improve skills.
The Minister told the conference that the country was in difficult economic times, but needed to respond to the global skills race by increasing skills levels.
Beverley Hughes said:
"I am extremely pleased at the level of interest shown in apprenticeships by local authorities and it's now time to get on with the job of making things happen.
"Apprenticeships are key to the vision of improving the skills of the people who live and work in the North West. Sharing ideas and practice about how local authorities can increase take up of apprenticeships is an important part of making that vision a reality."
In the North West the Minister has set up the Joint Economic Commission (JEC), bringing together public sector agencies, private sector businesses and third sector organisations to meet the challenge of the current economic downturn The JEC has made increasing the number of apprentices a priority.
The conference heard that 29 North West authorities have already signed the 'Skills Pledge" - a public commitment made by employers to support and improve the skills of employees who have few or no qualifications.
The conference also heard examples of good practice from Knowsley and Lancashire and details of the Civil Service Project, which will focus on apprenticeships within the civil service in the North West
