The future of North West apprenticeships – keeping you in the picture

As the General Election looms many people are assessing their choice of party based on significant impacts that could affect their family, career and ultimately their future.

Bolton based training provider Alliance Learning are receptive to local concerns and are offering a helping hand to learners and employers by highlighting the anticipated changes to the apprenticeship framework.

Current party leaders, Labour, who have introduced various schemes in their 13 year reign, have promised to raise the age young people will leave compulsory training or education to 18 by 2015.

They are also guaranteeing an education, training or apprenticeship place for all 16 and 17 year olds who want it as well as a promise of a job, training or work experience for every young person aged 18-24 who has been unemployed for 6 months.

Main opposition party, the Conservatives, are quick to condemn Labour's 'promises' citing young people as 'the biggest victims of Labour's economic mismanagement'. However, they themselves have delivered a tall order, promising an extra 100,000 apprenticeship each year as well as pledging to give small and medium businesses a £2,000 bonus for every new apprentice they hire.

Quiet contenders, the Liberal Democrats are focusing their attention on the employers, indicating that the big problem with apprenticeships lies not in the lack of demand for them from young people but in the reluctance of employers to provide apprentice training places. They aim to address funding issues and re-inspire industry bosses to consider the value of an apprentice.

Alliance Learning's Chief Executive, Steve Whitehead commented:

"Alliance Learning will continue to deliver the highest quality of training for all our students and subsequently their employers, whatever the outcome of the political clash!

"Naturally, we hope the prevailing party will continue to invest heavily in the interests of both apprentice and adult learners with a view to getting more people employed in the right jobs with the right set of skills behind them."

To find out more information about apprenticeships or commercial courses please contact Alliance Learning on 01204 696744 or visit www.alliancelearning.com