Norfolk brewer calls for 'joined up thinking' after apprenticeship drive
Ministers say they could create 50 thousand of these in total through investing well over half a billion pounds
A man who brews beer in the county is calling for more 'joined up thinking' from Ministers.
It's after the Government announced they'd be investing over £700 million toward creating 50 thousand apprenticeships in hospitality and engineering in AI.
""It's positive that the scheme is coming through"
David Holliday is the owner of 'Moon Gazer Ales' based near Fakenham:
"On the one hand, they identify that hospitality can help the scheme and get more people into work.
"But this is all in the context of it being quite hard for the hospitality sector generally, especially with rising essential costs and recent National Insurance hikes, which is putting pressure on a lot of people's bottom lines
"It's positive that the scheme is coming through and I'd really encourage young people to give involved and other businesses to get involved. Those are the two main benefits of this.
"For too long, success has been measured by how many young people go to university"
The Government says it's aiming to reverse a decline in the number of young people starting apprenticeships, which has fallen by almost 40% in the past decade.
The Prime Minister has also expressed his desire to see apprenticeships treated with the same respect as degree courses.
At this year's Labour party conference, he said he wanted to see two-thirds of young people study for a degree or an apprenticeship.
Sir Keir said: "For too long, success has been measured by how many young people go to university. That narrow view has held back opportunity and created barriers we need to break.
"If you choose an apprenticeship, you should have the same respect and opportunity as everyone else."
The funding, which covers the next three years, includes a commitment to fully fund apprenticeships at small and medium-sized businesses.
It also includes £140 million for regional mayors to link young people not in employment, education or training (Neet) with local apprenticeships.
Ministers have been especially concerned with the rising number of young people classed as Neets, which experts suggest is on course to exceed one million for the first time since the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis.