Keighley College welcomes government’s scheme to help young people gain employment

Keighley College has welcomed the new government scheme announced by the UK chancellor at the beginning of July, aimed at helping young people secure and retain employment.

The government announced a new bonus for employers to hire apprentices over the next six months, and from August to January, any firm that hires a new young apprentice aged 16 to 24, will receive £2,000, while those that hire new apprentices aged 25 and over will be paid. £1,500.

Steve Kelly, Principal of Keighley College, said that the college is dedicated to supporting both employers and apprentices during this time.

“The government’s commitment to high quality traineeships and incentives for young people, is a step in the right direction and we want to ensure that we give apprentices every opportunity to go a step further at Keighley College.”

Earlier in the week, Keighley College was praised in parliament by MP for Keighley and llkley, Robbie Moore, who recognised the work that the college is doing to prepare apprentices for careers in a wide range of industries.

The Member of Parliament, who visited Keighley College earlier in the year said: “I was lucky enough to meet one of the college’s level 1 students who was undertaking a construction course. I witnessed him building one of the walls in one of the college’s classrooms for the first time, and where he started to learn the skills needed for the building trade and the ropes required to get on.

“With principal, Steve Kelly and his awesome team, who are full of enthusiasm and want the very best for their students in Keighley, I went on to see students undertaking fabrication, electrical,  and welding courses, plumbing, gas safety, and engineering courses – all students participating, were determined to progress, upskill, and get a job.”

Mr Moore said that the chancellor’s announcement last week, on a number of packages are most welcome, adding that, ‘it is vital that we use every mechanism to kickstart and get the wheels in motion of the whole of the housing market, so that in turn, the construction industry, which attracts a huge number of employees can start moving again’.

He added: “Keen and enthusiastic students, like those at Keighley College can learn the trade with the comfort that they will be greeted with a job at the other side.”

Keighley College has wide and varied apprenticeship options, covering all industry sectors.

For more information on apprenticeships visit the website