James Naish, MP has welcomed a group of Rolls-Royce apprentices to Parliament as part of National Apprenticeship Week, during which the Government announced new fast-track apprenticeship reforms to help build skills, careers and local growth.
Key planned reforms include matching ‘near-miss’ apprenticeship applicants to similar opportunities in their area; developing a new online platform to give young people clear, accessible information about apprenticeships and career outcomes; and an overhaul of the skills system, as the Government looks to put apprenticeships on a level footing with university degrees.
These reforms build on recent growth in apprenticeship numbers, with 353,500 apprenticeship starts in the first year of the new Government – 13,920 more than the year before (2023/24). The reforms support the Government’s ambition to see two-thirds of young people enter higher-level learning or apprenticeships and come alongside a £725 million investment to modernise the system and better match training with employer needs.
James Naish MP said: “Rushcliffe’s future depends on making sure young people can access good jobs with real prospects. Faster, more flexible training will help local employers grow while giving young people clear routes into skilled work.
“It was fantastic to hear directly from Rolls-Royce apprentices whose life chances have been significantly enhanced as a result of their apprenticeships. They’re leaving the Rolls-Royce scheme with money in their pockets and no debt. It is clear that, for many young people, apprenticeships are becoming the number-one choice after school and college – and I’ll be working closely with the East Midlands Mayor, local businesses, colleges and councils to create as many opportunities as possible for young people across Rushcliffe.”
The announcement comes as 46% of mid-sized businesses in the Midlands said they were planning to increase apprenticeship hiring in 2026, following the Government’s recent announcement about free training for apprentices under the age of 25, according to research from accountancy and advisory firm BDO.
The East Midlands is also one of six areas in the country that will be piloting the Government-backed ‘Job Guarantee’ scheme, which is being rolled out from this spring. Delivery organisations will be offered up to £2,250 for wraparound support and training costs, as well as up to £400 for administration costs, and applications from interested organisations opened at the end of January.
James Naish MP also encouraged people across Rushcliffe to participate in the Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire Apprenticeship Awards, which celebrate the apprentices, employers and training providers strengthening the region’s skills pipeline. He added: “These awards are a great chance to showcase the fantastic apprentices and employers we have across Rushcliffe and to inspire more young people to consider apprenticeships.”
