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date: 7 January 2009

embargo: For immediate release

Apprenticeship funding boost will help thousands of people into employment

Responding to proposals announced today (Wednesday) by the Secretary of State of Universities, Innovation and Skills John Denham that the Government is to increase funding for apprentices by £140 million and introduce commitments to training and apprenticeships in all publicly-let contracts, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'Today's funding boost will give thousands of people the chance to re-train or learn new skills as apprentices.

'We also welcome plans to use procurement to ensure that any private sector company awarded a Government contract is committed to skills and apprentices too.

'As redundancies mount, the Government must take every step to help people back into the labour market as soon as possible. We cannot afford to leave unemployed people on the scrap heap, as has been the case in previous recessions.'

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Press release (300 words) issued 7 Jan 2009