Conservative Party Parliamentary Candidate for Hammersmith Cllr Charlie Dewhirst has welcomed new figures showing 370 new apprenticeships were started by people in Hammersmith last year. In total 1,830 new apprenticeships have been started in Hammersmith since 2010.

This means more young people getting the skills they’ll need to get on in life – as they do locally at CH2M Hill, who are based in Hammersmith and are working with the Government to deliver major infrastructure projects such as Crossrail and High Speed 2.

Across England more than 1.9 million apprenticeships have been started since 2010 – with the number of apprenticeships having more than doubled in this parliament.

As the Prime Minister announced last week a future Conservative government would go even further: making a £1 billion commitment to deliver 3 million apprenticeships by 2020 and end youth unemployment, funded by reducing the maximum amount that can be claimed on benefits from £26,000 to £23,000, and limiting young people’s access to housing benefit.

Following a visit to CH2M Hill’s UK headquarters in Brook Green on Monday, Charlie said:

“These figures are great news. 1,830 new apprenticeships since 2010 means more young people in Hammersmith getting the skills for they’ll need for the future, as they are locally at companies like CH2M Hill.

“And I’m pleased a future Conservative government would go even further, with a £1 billion commitment to deliver three million apprenticeships by 2020 and to end youth unemployment.

“By making sure, as part of our long-term economic plan, we deliver the best schools and skills for young people the Conservatives are ensuring the next generation have the skills and opportunities they’ll need to get a good job – so they can have a brighter, more secure future ahead of them.”