Apprenticeships Drive Down Youth Unemployment in Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire is seeing a drop in the number of young people not in education, employment, or training (Neets), thanks in part to apprenticeships. According to Richard Graham, MP for Gloucester, the trend is encouraging, with the city's Neet figures decreasing from 875 to 780 last year. The growth in apprenticeships, including 1,240 new starts in 2012, appears to be a contributing factor. Similar efforts are being explored in Cheltenham, where Solicitors Rickerby's LLP has recently taken on three apprentices.

Key Takeaways:

• The number of young people not in education, employment, or training (Neets) in Gloucester decreased by 780 last year, down from 875 the previous year.
• The growth in apprenticeships, with 1,240 new starts in 2012, is correlated with the reduction in Neet figures.
• Richard Graham, MP for Gloucester, attributes the decline in Neet figures to the rise in apprenticeships.
• Solicitors Rickerby's LLP in Cheltenham has successfully taken on three apprentices, aiming to have a similar impact on youth unemployment.
• Maryann Neudegg, head of human resources at Rickerby's, emphasizes the responsibility of employers to explore apprenticeship opportunities.
• The initiative is hoped to inspire other businesses in Gloucestershire to follow Rickerby's lead.

Statistics:

• The number of young people not in education, employment, or training (Neets) in Gloucester decreased by 11% last year.
• 1,240 new apprenticeship starts were recorded in Gloucester in 2012.
• The number of Neets in Gloucester decreased from 875 to 780 last year.
• The 18-year-old apprentices taken on by Rickerby's in Cheltenham will contribute to the effort to reduce Neet figures in the area.

Sources:

• Richard Graham, MP for Gloucester (exact quote and title not provided in the original text)
• BBC (no specific article or date mentioned)
• Solicitors Rickerby's LLP (no specific date or information about the company mentioned)