National Apprenticeship Week last week was a good moment to stop and recognise something we do incredibly well here in West Cumbria.
We train more apprentices than almost anywhere else in the country. That doesn’t happen by accident. It’s down to the hard work of local colleges, training providers, employers and, most importantly, the young people who choose to take that path.
And it’s not just one type of apprenticeship. Yes, we are rightly known for strength in engineering, nuclear and construction. But apprenticeships here also cover health and social care, business and administration, digital and IT, hospitality, education and early years, and many more. They are a real alternative to the traditional university route and a first choice for many young people who want to earn while they learn.
This year the Government has announced changes to cut red tape so apprenticeship standards can be updated in three months instead of up to 18. That matters for places like ours. When new projects come forward, we need training to move quickly so local people can step into new jobs.
There is also £725 million being invested to create 50,000 more apprenticeships nationally, alongside a new “clearance-style” system so that young people who narrowly miss out on their first choice can be matched with other opportunities nearby. It’s about making the system work better and making sure no one ready to work is left behind.
Expanding apprenticeships is also central to the industrial plan I’m working to deliver for West Cumbria. If we secure new nuclear at Pioneer Park, develop opportunities through an AI Growth Zone, or bring a clean jet fuel plant to our area – all credible projects I’m working hard to deliver – those must create real opportunities for local people. That means more apprenticeships in advanced manufacturing, digital, clean energy, project management, environmental services and beyond. The industries of the future need a skilled local workforce – and apprenticeships are how we build it.
I saw that potential first-hand during my recent visit to Energy Coast UTC. The students I met were focused and full of ambition. They know the opportunities that could be coming to our area, and they want to be part of them.
I was also pleased to attend Lakes College’s Apprenticeship Awards. With around 1,200 apprentices at the college, the scale of training happening right here is impressive. I want to congratulate everyone who won, who was highly commended, and who was nominated. To be recognised among so many talented apprentices is something to be proud of. It also reflects the hard work of the tutors and local employers who support them every day.
National Apprenticeship Week is about celebrating that effort. But it’s also about looking ahead. West Cumbria has the skills base, the training providers and the drive to keep leading the way.
Josh MacAlister MP 