Shropshire MP says more MoD workers will be young trainees in the future
Shropshire MP Philip Dunne has said at least one in 20 Ministry of Defence workers will be young people in training in the coming years.
The Ludlow MP, in his role as Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology, has committed the MOD? to the "5 percent Club", whose members are employers who pledge that within five years five percent of their workforce will be those in training or sponsored student positions.
Mr Dunne has made the pledge as the Prime Minister announced the rollout of nine new degree apprenticeships as part of the government's ongoing programme.
The flagship apprenticeships have been designed by industry along with academia, including key areas such as chartered surveying, aerospace engineering, and nuclear.
Mr Dunne said: "The rollout of degree apprenticeships will offer young people the chance to gain qualifications combining the academic knowledge from a traditional university degree with practical experience within a professional field.
"I have taken a leading role in developing cross-government approaches to meeting nuclear skills challenges with industry.
"Degree apprenticeships, conforming to standards set by industry, will provide key skills and knowledge to young people working across a wide range of sectors.
"I hope that we will see more degree apprenticeships offered in more subjects, which will give young people in Shropshire even more options as they look to their future."
Apprentices will split their time between normal university study and gain a full bachelor's or master's degree from a top university while earning a wage and getting real on-the-job experience in their chosen profession.
The apprentice will be able to gain a full bachelor's or master's degree without paying any fees as the cost of course fees are shared between government and employers.
