METRO Mayor Steve Rotheram is among a number of regional politicians backing a call for better support for apprenticeships to help protect the job prospects of tens of thousands of young people in our region.

It comes after warnings coronavirus could lead to a "lost generation" due to its effect on economic and educational prospects.

Mr Rotheram is backing a seven point plan from business groups London First and the North West Business Leadership Team (NWBLT) to urge the Government to take immediate steps to support the apprenticeship system.

The plan includes the introduction of a long term ‘Back to Work’ fund and further support for apprenticeship providers.

Greater Manchester metro mayor Andy Burnham and London mayor Sadiq Khan are also backing the plans.

Mr Rotheram said: "Apprenticeships have to be at the heart of the effort to enable young people to develop the skills they need to thrive in a post-COVID economy.

"That's why in the Liverpool City Region we developed Be-More, the UK’s first UCAS-style apprenticeship portal to enable prospective apprentices to find the information they need in one place.

"But we also need action at a central government level.

"I've long advocated for greater flexibility in the use of the Apprenticeship Levy and for government to properly support this vital route to skilled employment.

"I wholeheartedly support this plan’s recommendations and call upon the government to act now."

Sandy Lindsay MBE, skills lead and vice chair of NWBLT, said quick action was needed to protect job prospects.

She said: "This is not a time for bureaucracy and delay; this is a time for swift action, innovation and open dialogue between Government and business.

"We are calling on Government to work with us to look at ways to free up finance that can be used to save the jobs of thousands of young people, as well as the skills that will be needed by businesses into the future."

Here is the seven point plan from London First and NWBLT: 

  • Introduce a long-term 'Back to Work' fund to help businesses take on apprenticeships, and minimising the costs of apprenticeships to firms, guaranteed for a minimum of three years Provide funding relief fairly for all apprenticeships, so that Apprenticeship Training Providers (ATPs) can be funded where training has been paused.
  • Support providers and businesses to continue to offer apprenticeships safely, with clear guidance on how to operate safely and suspending face-to-face requirements, so that apprenticeships are not forced to fail through being unable to complete in-person training.
  • Give businesses greater flexibility in how they use Levy funds, by making it easier to transfer funds to other firms via a single digital transaction, pausing payments and extending the date that they can be used where businesses are unable to return to normal activity.
  • Improve communications channels between businesses and the apprenticeship system, with a one-stop-shop for employers to access information and support.
  • Work with SMEs to trial innovative approaches that boost demand, such as shared apprentices.
  • Promote apprenticeships to young people and their families, emphasise the role of them in the economic recovery, and highlight the long-term opportunities they provide.