Richard Holden, MP for North West Durham, has spoken in a Westminster Hall debate on Colleges and Skills: Covid-19.
Richard thanked Derwentside College, who he has visited before (read about this here) for the work they have done in working with local employers across the constituency to get young people into work. Richard also welcomed the Government’s work in this area and praised the kickstart scheme as a key scheme that is driving much needed apprenticeships. The kickstart scheme provides funding to employers to create new job opportunities for 16 to 24-year olds who are on Universal Credit. You can read more about this here.
Richard also spoke about the Government’s levelling up agenda and how improvements being made to further education will provide huge opportunities for people across the country and in the North East.
Commenting, Richard said:
“We are facing a really challenging time as a country and I welcome the Government’s aims for further education and the work that they are doing to improve apprenticeship opportunities for young people across the country.
“People should be encouraged and able to do courses that they want to do and that best enhance their life opportunities. Opportunities should be provided as locally as possible to enable people to continue working as they train or study, and to ensure that we can level up the North East.
“I have invited the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Apprenticeships and Skills to visit Derwentside College when she is able to, and I will continue to work with the Department for Education to ensure that everyone in North West Durham has the education opportunities deserved.”
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