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Chris Evans MP<\/p>\n
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MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR ISLWYN<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][dnxte_button button_text=”Get in touch” button_link=”@ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF9saW5rX3VybF9wYWdlIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsicG9zdF9pZCI6IjQ5MyJ9fQ==@” btn_icon=”9||divi||400″ btn_icon_color=”#FFFFFF” dnxt_hover_bg=”dnxt-hover-sweep-to-right” dnxt_hover_bg_color=”#d50032″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _dynamic_attributes=”button_link” _module_preset=”default” btn_fonts_font=”Arial|700|||||||” btn_fonts_text_color=”#FFFFFF” btn_fonts_font_size=”28px” background_color=”#E61700″ custom_margin=”0px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/dnxte_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#e61700″ custom_padding=”80px||51px||false|” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”0px||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ header_font=”Poppins|700|||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font_size=”48px” custom_margin=”||0px|||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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As Member of Parliament, I have organised a number of projects which aim to tackle local issues. Employment, particularly among young people, is a key concern in Islwyn and some of my local projects have been aimed at providing work experience and apprenticeship opportunities for young people.<\/p>\n
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I have grown increasingly concerned by the behaviour of off-road bikers in Islwyn. Islwyn is lucky to have a beautiful natural habitat including areas such as Cwmcarn Forest drive, Gwyddon Forestry, and Mynydd Machen.<\/p>\n
Over the years I have liaised with the police and the council to tackle this issue locally and as a member of the off-road biking task force. I have met with residents to discuss their experiences. Many constituents have raised concerns about the impact of off-road biking in these areas, both on our landscape and on residents. This is a huge problem right across the countryside, across the South Wales valleys, the North of England and anywhere there are mountains or large areas of countryside.<\/p>\n
It has become clear that the police simply do not have the powers to tackle these destructive illegal off-road bikers as things stand. In 2021 I presented residents’ petitions on off-road biking to Parliament. I also had an adjournment debate on the issue. There needs to be stricter legislation. This is a national issue and impacts any MP with the countryside in their constituency.<\/p>\n
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Most 16 year olds leaving compulsory education will have made the decision to stay on at sixth form or college to continue an academic education, leading to a University degree. Perhaps surprisingly, only around one percent decide to enter vocational education, including work-based learning through apprenticeships.<\/p>\n
The Careers Wales Annual Destinations Survey 2016 found that, since 2012, the number of Welsh students leaving Year 11 and entering work based-training dropped from 1.6% to 1.3%. For Year 12 it fell from 0.8% to 0.7%. For those leaving Year 13, the numbers increased slightly, from 1.3% to 1.6%.<\/p>\n
Any increase is welcome, but the figures are still very low for what can be an exceptionally rewarding path. More must be done to ensure apprenticeships are seen as a realistic alternative to other forms of further education. A-Levels and University degrees are a good option for many career paths, but it is not the only route to a successful, high-skilled career.<\/p>\n
That is why I pledged during the 2017 General Election to host an annual Apprenticeship Fair which will provide information to young people so that they can make an informed choice as they come to the end of compulsory education.<\/p>\n
My first apprenticeship fair was held in November 2018.<\/p>\n
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To me, it is a tragedy when someone becomes unemployed. Skills go to waste and society loses out. I believe everyone should have an opportunity to develop their talents to the fullest.<\/p>\n
However, whenever I ask any young person about the barriers to getting a job the answer often seems to be the same \u2013 a lack of experience.<\/p>\n
Without work experience, it is difficult for young people to get on the job ladder. That is why I teamed up with local employers from across the constituency to launch the Islwyn Work Experience Programme.<\/p>\n
The scheme offered 18-to 24-year-olds the opportunity to gain experience by undertaking an 8-week placement with a local employer.<\/p>\n
Not only did\u00a0this provide a young person with practical experience of a workplace but it had no impact on their Jobs Seekers Allowance \u2013 enabling them to continue to look for permanent work.<\/p>\n
While work experience can never be a substitute for a full-time job, the programme seeks to ensure that young people will be able to get a feel of the world of work.<\/p>\n
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Chris Evans MPMEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR ISLWYN