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³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ warmly welcomes PlaidÌýCymru’sÌýrecent announcement of plans to invest 50,000 apprenticeships for young people in Wales over the next five years.

AndrewÌýCooksley, Managing Director of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ said: “Over the last few years we have certainly experienced a surge in the amount of young people who areÌýchoosing our apprenticeship programmes over college or university. We have also experienced an increase inÌýthe number of employers who are willing to engage and recruit a younger workforce and as a result areÌýopening up more opportunities for young people.

“Consequently, I very much welcome PlaidÌýCymru’sÌýannouncement and their plans to invest in our youngÌýpeople’s future and create 50,000 apprenticeships. Apprenticeships are a highly effective way of increasingÌýskills among the Welsh workforce and offer huge benefits to the Welsh economy.”Ìý

Speaking ahead of the launch at the British Gas Training Academy inÌýTredegar,ÌýSimon Thomas AMÌýsaid that a PlaidÌýCymruÌýgovernment would use Wales’ share of the apprenticeship levy to create these additional roles over the next Assembly term.

The levy is set to bring in around £150m to Wales each year as a result of increased spending in England, announced in November’s Spending Review.

He added that PlaidÌýCymruÌýwas committed to working towards ensuring that no young person in Wales is not in education, employment and training while between the age of 16 and 24, in order to improve prospects for the next generation.

PlaidÌýCymru’sÌýSimon Thomas AMÌýsaid:

“PlaidÌýCymruÌýis committed to investing in our young people’ future and ensuring opportunity for all. We are eager to build on our work of securing 5,500 apprenticeships as part of the 2012 Welsh budget.

“At present, 12,200 young people between 16-18 years old are not in education, employment or training in Wales. They represent one in 10 young people within that age bracket.

“That is why a PlaidÌýCymruÌýgovernment would use Wales’ share of the apprenticeship levy to invest in 50,000 places over the next Assembly term.”We believe that apprenticeships offer an equally valuable route into employment as university degrees, and we are committed to securing parity of esteem between these two paths.

“Apprenticeships are also an excellent economic investment. According to the National Training Federation Wales (NFTW), they provide a £74 return for every £1 invested.

“PlaidÌýCymruÌýrecognises that creating meaningful opportunities is vital for the WelshÌýworkforce’sÌýwellbeingÌýand the nation’s wealth.Ìý

“This landmark investment in young people’s future would help boost prospects for the next generation, plug the skills gap in many vital sectors such as engineering andÌýICT, and improve the general health of the Welsh economy.”