I recently visited local accountancy firm Albert Goodman to see, at first hand, the vital role apprenticeships play for young people and employers in Taunton Deane.

Albert Goodman has offices across Somerset and employs numerous trainees through apprenticeships. It was wonderful to meet such enterprising young people and learn how these schemes are helping them forge rewarding careers. It was also interesting to find out that several of Albert Goodman’s current partners joined the company as trainees.

Apprenticeships give young people the opportunity to gain important skills and qualifications, while earning a wage. They also help businesses, like Albert Goodman, increase productivity, fill skills gaps and lower staff turnover. And this all has a hugely positive effect on our local economy.

There were 4,750 apprenticeship starts in Taunton Deane in the last Parliament, which is very encouraging. And I’m right behind the government’s commitment to add a further 3 million apprenticeships nationally by 2020.

To fund this increase – and ensure a high standard of training – the government is introducing an apprenticeship ‘levy’ so large firms contribute to the cost of training. Those offering apprenticeships can also make certain claims back from government and from April employers will no longer have to pay National Insurance contributions for apprentices under 25 which should be a helpful incentive to encourage businesses to take on apprentices.

These are all positive moves, but I also think it’s also important that we challenge outdated perceptions of apprenticeships. In the past, most apprentices would probably have worked in a traditional trade such as plumbing or the electrical services.

This is no longer the case. For instance, two of our further education providers in Taunton Deane – Richard Huish and Somerset College – offer apprentice linked courses in a fantastic range of job roles and industries, including business administration, IT, engineering and professional cookery.

Aside from valuable employment skills, apprentices also gain nationally recognised qualifications, many of which are equivalent to A-levels and degrees.

But the onus is also on employers. I hope businesses across Taunton Deane will seize the opportunities being made available, and work with local colleges to give young people the start in life they deserve.

For more information on apprenticeships, visit: www.gov.uk/topic/further-education-skills/apprenticeships