Local MP Hugo Swire has welcomed news that the number of new apprentices in East Devon is amongst the highest in England.
Figures published recently show that 7,380 new apprenticeships have been created in the East Devon constituency since 2010 – the 20th highest number out of all 533 English parliamentary constituencies.
The figures also show that there have been 280,500 apprenticeship starts across the South West region since 2010.
This news comes as National Apprenticeship Week starts on Monday 14 March.
Commenting, Mr Swire said:
‘It is great news that East Devon is leading the way and has one of the highest number of apprenticeship starts in England.
‘I warmly congratulate not only the talented apprentices themselves but also all the businesses and colleges which have decided to take on an apprentice.
‘Nationally, it is equally pleasing that 2.6 million apprenticeships have started across England since the Conservatives came to office in 2010 and I am wholly supportive of the Government’s commitment to create 3 million more apprenticeships by 2020.
‘This Government has been determined to open up alternative routes into professions other than university. These figures show that we are making good progress towards our goal’.