date: 27 October 2008

embargo: For immediate release

TUC welcomes Government commitment to more public sector apprentices

Responding to the call today (Monday) from the Government to further increase the number of apprentices in the public sector, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: 'These apprenticeships will provide a welcome new route into work for the thousands of people looking to cut their teeth in the public sector.

'Boosting skills and employment are just the sorts of measures needed to steer us through this economic downturn.'

'We hope that the leadership the public sector has shown towards equality will mean that this new generation of public sector apprentices are well trained, decently paid and reflect the diversity of the people they serve.'

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Press release (200 words) issued 27 Oct 2008