CENTRAL Devon MP Mel Stride has backed an announcement by central government to boost apprenticeship schemes.

Last week the Prime Minister unveiled plans that will boost the number of top quality apprentice training schemes across the United Kingdom.

In order to encourage more apprenticeships, the Government will incentivise the scheme, taking the number of apprentices that a company has into account when a new government contract becomes available.

The Secretary of State for Transport, Patrick McLoughlin has also pledged another 30,000 new apprenticeships in the road and rail industry by the end of this Parliament. Central Devon MP Mel Stride welcomed the news.

He said: ‘The number of new apprenticeships is one of the best achievements of the coalition government and I am very pleased to see this work continue in the new Parliament. Apprentice schemes are great for training people in valuable skills and encouraging people into work. I wholeheartedly recommend anyone thinking about applying for one to do so.’

Other changes announced including raising the industry standards to build a world-class apprenticeship system and supporting the 5% club, a group of businesses dedicated to having 5% of their employees going through further training.