Newcastle North MP, Catherine McKinnell, today welcomed news that her Apprenticeships and Skills Bill has won the backing of the creator of ‘The Apprentice’, Lord Sugar.

Catherine said:

“We should be investing, now more than ever, in the skills of all young people. This is vital if the North East is going to successfully grow its way out of recession, and is why I have introduced my Apprenticeships Bill into Parliament which would require companies who bid for public contracts to demonstrate a firm commitment to providing skills training and apprenticeship places.

“I am absolutely thrilled that someone as respected as Lord Sugar is backing my campaign. He has been a powerful advocate for apprenticeships and skills training over recent years, and his endorsement for my Bill is incredibly valuable.

“Support for my proposal – in what I am calling the ‘Small Change, Big Difference’ campaign – continues to grow , with backing also received from the TUC, the Federation of Small Businesses, Unison, Unite, the GMB, UCATT, NUS, the Association of Colleges, the Federation of Master Builders and the Electrical Contractors’ Association.

“But, crucially, I also need the support of other MPs to make this happen. Anything that people can do to persuade their own MP to back the Bill – which receives its Second Reading on 11th February during National Apprenticeships Week – would be greatly appreciated.”

Lord Sugar said:

“I realise the importance of apprenticeships, so much so that in 2009 I participated under the last Government in a campaign to promote Apprenticeships that created 4,000 firm enquires, and was involved in four seminars in London, Leeds, Birmingham and Newcastle.

“As such I fully endorse Catherine McKinnell’s ‘Apprenticeships and Skills (Public Procurement Contracts) Bill,’ as she too realises the crucial role of apprenticeships in developing the skills of young people through training and real work experience. Through this initiative by ensuring there is a firm need for contracts awarded by the public sector to stipulate a commitment to taking on and developing apprentices, I believe she will continue to build upon the impressive strides made under the last Government in the area of apprenticeships.”