Member News
By Robert Halfon MP - 5th August 2011
Apprenticeships are a "forceful answer to our stalled social mobility", says Robert Halfon MP.
Since I was elected MP for Harlow in May 2010 I have made apprenticeships one of my key priorities. They are hugely important for rebuilding our ruined economy and bringing jobs back to Britain.
As I said in yesterday's Westminster Hall debate, the government's strategy for skills is welcome because it puts social justice at the heart of its plans.
Apprenticeships are a forceful answer to our stalled social mobility, our skills deficit, and the rising NEET population.
There is much good news in the government's plans, with 75,000 new places for adult apprentices, less bureaucracy, and plans to scrap up-front fees altogether.
I was pleased also to be able to reveal in public during the debate, for the first time, that Harlow College is being strongly encouraged by the government to set up a University Technical College.
This would make our town a true centre of excellence, as we would be one of the first in the country to have a University Technical College. In essence, a University Technical College is like a conveyor belt from apprenticeships to Higher Education, training young people in subjects like construction, health science, and engineering, for 14 to 19 year-olds.
Pearson, the Harlow-based learning company, are also in advanced talks with the college about supporting their bid.
In response, the skills minister John Hayes was highly supportive, having visited Harlow College before the election.
On top of all this, there is the news that Essex Council are looking at ways of boosting apprentices through clauses in their construction contracts, as well as their pioneering scheme to help with the wage costs of apprentices in engineering and manufacturing.
The self-reliance and freedom and maturity that comes from earning your own money is not to be underestimated. That is why apprenticeships must be central to our education system.
University Technical Colleges will only accelerate the minister's efforts to improve the prestige and status of apprenticeships and to strengthen the routes from apprenticeships into Higher Education, especially perhaps – I hope – if we have one in Harlow.
Robert Halfon was elected as Conservative MP for Harlow in 2010. A former chief of staff for Oliver Letwin MP, he currently sits on the House of Commons public administration committee.
Throughout recess, ePolitix.com will be focusing on a different policy theme each week. This week we are featuring MP articles with a focus on education.
This article was first featured on January 20th ahead of Robert Halfon MP's Westminster Hall debate on apprenticeships.
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