Julian has marked National Apprenticeship Week by highlighting the benefits that taking on an apprentice can bring to businesses and the opportunities they present to young people.
He visited Craven College and met with three horticultural apprentices plus their tutor to hear about the work they do and why choosing an apprenticeship was the right option for them.
Since 2010, there has been a 60pc increase in the number of apprenticeships in the Skipton and Ripon constituency with 840 starts in the year 2012/13 compared to 510 in 2009/10.
Julian said:
“Apprentices are good for business, giving them the ability to bring in and develop skills in their companies, and good for young people, by offering an insight into the world of work backed up by learning at College.
“The Government has put a huge amount of effort into ensure apprentices are more easily available and of higher quality and that investment is having rewards both for those who work as apprentices and those who employ them.”