The Conservatives pledged to give talented IT apprentices
scholarships to university at the annual conference yesterday.
David Willetts, shadow minister for innovation, universities and
skills, announced plans for bursaries for apprentices wanting to go
to university yesterday in an attempt to open up a vocational
pathway to higher education.
The party said many of the beneficiaries are likely to be in the
Stem (science, technology, engineering and maths) sector.
The scheme will cost £20m a year and will see 1,200 students a
year benefit. If they study part-time and work part-time all their
education costs will be covered.
Willetts said in his speech, "If we want vocational skills to
gain the respect they deserve, then people need to know they
provide a ladder of opportunity and not a glass ceiling."
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