CRAWLEY MP Henry Smith has celebrated the vital contribution of apprentices.

Since 2010 there have been 5,680 new apprentices in Crawley and more than 1.2 million nationally since 2015.

Take up of higher-level apprenticeships in 2016-17 was up by nearly 35 per cent compared to 2015-16.

Apprenticeships are at the heart of the Government’s strategy to expand opportunity and develop the skilled workforce the country needs.

This includes working with industry to deliver an ambitious target of three million new apprenticeships by 2020.

Henry said: “Apprenticeships allow people to earn while they learn, and open doors to highly-skilled, rewarding careers.

“The Government’s reforms are not only increasing apprenticeship numbers, but also driving up the quality of apprenticeships, meaning they have real value in the jobs market.

“Boeing and Network Rail are just some of the national and international organisations who have been looking to take on new apprentices locally.

“I’ve previously met apprentices at electrical training specialists Clarkson Evans working in Crawley’s newest neighbourhood, Forge Wood – it was a pleasure to meet these electricians of the future constructing the homes of tomorrow.”

The Government launched an education and funding review that will help people be more effective choices between the options available.