Chancellor Rachel Reeves meets the apprentices shaping construction's future in Pudsey
The Chancellor met apprentices learning skills to shape the construction industry
Chancellor and Leeds MP Rachel Reeves paid a visit to a Pudsey engineering firm to meet apprentices and students learning skills to shape the future of the construction industry.
She visited the team at G&H and Building Futures Together to look at the the organisations' work in helping young people develop skills and progress into employment.
Her visit comes following a landmark Government report that looks into the rising number of young people not in education, employment of training.
It comes after Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, pledged to increase the number of apprenticeships and guarantee work placements for every young person before the age of 18.
Rachel Reeves, MP for Leeds West and Pudsey and Chancellor of the Exchequer said: “Every young person should have the chance to fulfil their potential.
“It was wonderful to meet students and staff at Building Futures Together in Pudsey to hear about their fantastic vocational provision, and to discuss the Government’s ongoing work to tackle youth unemployment.”
Paul Churchill, development manager at G&H said: “High-quality apprenticeships are essential to the future of the construction industry.
“Rachel’s visit provided an opportunity to showcase how we’re creating pathways into the sector and delivering apprenticeship best practice.
“It also gave her the chance to meet our apprentices, hear about their experiences and see how we’re investing in the next generation of skilled professionals.”
Managing director and co-founder at BFT, John Thornton, said: ”Building Futures Together was established to help prevent young people from becoming NEET, and we see everyday how alternative vocational education can help students who are struggling in mainstream education engage with learning, improve attendance and progress into apprenticeships, further education and employment.
”We’re pleased to welcome Rachel once again and to showcase the positive impact our programmes are having.
“Vocational education should be valued equally alongside academic pathways if we want every young person to have the opportunity to succeed.
“Rachel’s visit helps reinforce that message.”