Other News In Brief

Number Of Apprenticeships Continues To Rise

New statistics published today show an increase in the number of people starting an apprenticeship. Provisional data shows that in the first half of the 2011/12 academic year (August 2011 to January 2012) 256,500 people started an apprenticeship, including 79,100 young people (aged under 19), 77,100 19-24 year olds and 100,300 adults aged 25 or over.

Skills Minister John Hayes said: "These increases are extremely encouraging and it is testament to the Government’s unwavering commitment to apprenticeships. They are at the heart of our skills policy because they equip people with the skills they need for a prosperous future and provide businesses with the expertise they need to grow.

"It is particularly encouraging to see the large number of apprenticeships for younger people."

Enterprise Zone Gets £5m Boost

Plans to bring thousands of new jobs, investment and major transport improvements to Bristol's Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone have been backed by £5m investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

The HCA has agreed to invest in the acquisition of two properties near Temple Meads Station to support the delivery of a new creative industries hub and improved transport links in the heart of the city.

An investment of £3.8m will be provided to Bristol City Council to enable it to buy Brunel’s Old Station building, which is currently owned by British Empire and Commonwealth Museum. The move brings it into public ownership while detailed plans for the building and adjoining land are developed. It could enable parts of the building to be brought into use as part of the rail industry’s ambitions to significantly improve services between Bristol and London, with the remaining space used as studio space and conference facilities to support the growth of creative industries within the Enterprise Zone.

Baroness Rolls Out New Facilities At Manufacturing Plant

Business Minister Baroness Wilcox today officially opened new £6 million state-of-the-art operating space at the UK’s leading independent soft tissue converters.

The Minister visited Accrol Papers Ltd in Blackburn, Lancashire where she toured the new 120,000 square foot offices and warehouse facility and met with workers before unveiling a plaque onsite.

Founded in 1993, Accrol Papers has grown significantly in recent years thanks to its investment programme, which has included £25 million in new plant machinery and premises, with a further £30 million expected over the next two years.

The family-run business recently secured a conditional offer from the second round of the Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF) to bolster its expansion plans and create new jobs by partially supporting the new office space and helping to refurbish other facilities onsite.

(CD)