“Must do better”: that is the message from Labour Metro Mayor candidate Dan Norris as he slammed the Conservative West of England Metro Mayor for failing on apprenticeships.
Latest figures show that during the current Metro Mayor’s term of office the number of new apprenticeships in the West of England has plummeted. There are 1630 fewer in Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and North East Somerset than when the Tory Mayor came to power.
The Metro Mayor is responsible for apprenticeship cash and policy but around 65% of small businesses across the West of England have never used apprentices.
Dan Norris said “Apprenticeship opportunities in the West of England are at their lowest level in 5 years. That’s not good enough. The Metro Mayor is failing to create the opportunities young people across our area need. Investing in training opportunities will be central to rebuilding our economy after the pandemic. If elected I pledge to be a ‘jobs first’ Mayor and ensure our young people are not left behind.”