SECRETARY of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, Vince Cable MP, has revealed there have been nearly 600 apprenticeships started in Stafford this year.
The high-profile Lib-Dem minister unveiled the statistic during a commons debate involving Stafford MP Jeremy Lefroy.
It represents the latest in a string of positive developments for local jobseekers in the last few weeks - with recent announcements including retail giant Amazon announcing 1,000 jobs in Rugeley and a jobs fair attracting more than 1,000 people.
Folowing a Parliamentary question from Mr Lefroy, Mr Cable, said: “There have been 570 apprenticeships started in the Stafford constituency. The best evidence that apprenticeships give value for money is in the results. Typically, employers get payback in three years.
"An intermediate level of skill, level 2, results in, I think, £73,000 more over a lifetime. A level 3 qualification produces £105,000 added income over a lifetime, and the Government get £40 back for every £1 that they spend on apprenticeships.”
Among the local firms who have announced apprenticeships in recent weeks are pharmaceutical wholesaler, Phoenix Distribution Services (PDS), in Dunston which announced it was searching for new recruits at the beginning of July.
In April Stone power company ABB started looking for 11 bright young sparks to join its electrical engineering team.
Speaking after the debate, Mr Lefroy said: “It is great news that so many people have been given the chance to learn new skills and gain qualifications through apprenticeships over the last year.
“As the Secretary of State said in his answer to me, the value of an apprenticeship for the apprentice is clear from the uplift in earnings, but what he also showed was how valuable apprenticeships are for employers.
“I want to see more apprenticeships in Stafford and anyone who is looking for advice or support to take on an apprentice can contact Stafford Works (01785 252477) or my office for assistance.”
