Hapton, Lancashire -- (SBWire) -- 04/01/2015 --Hardy Services have shared their thoughts on calls from the business, enterprise and energy minister to make going to university or becoming an apprentice the norm after finishing school.

The minister for business, enterprise and energy, Matthew Hancock, has told an audience at Semta Skills Awards that encouraging young people to follow STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) careers is essential.

He said that one of the key focuses in parliament for the Conservatives if they're re-elected later in the year will be to create more apprenticeship opportunities and to address what he identified as a STEM skills gap.

Matthew Hancock, business, enterprise and energy minister, said: "We need to make sure that apprenticeships are more widely available in leading businesses, but we also need to make sure that they are attractive to young people.

"We need to break down the totally illogical gender divide in engineering. Because we cannot fix the skills shortage if we exclude almost half of our population.

"Industry is hungry for high level skills, especially in STEM subjects. We've put millions of extra capital investment into STEM teaching facilities and we are putting £185 million more into the teaching of these subjects.

"In the next parliament, we are committed to 3 million apprenticeships, but it is crucial that they are there in quality as well as quantity. The right skills policies are vitally important to inspire young people into careers that industry needs – and that includes engineering."

Hardy Services, a Lancashire-based provider of engineering, access and training services, believe that apprenticeships are essential for a strong UK workforce that can compete internationally.

A representative for Hardy Services explained: "More apprenticeships and a stronger STEM culture are both a must if the UK is to position itself as a global leader.

"This country has a proud history of apprenticeships, going all the way back to the creation of the UK Industry Training Boards (ITBs) in 1964, and we need a government who understands the role that apprenticeships and STEM subjects play in making Great Britain great – be it Labour, the Tories, or any other party.

"As Matthew Hancock said, inspiring young people into these fields is a must. We're hopeful that more is done in future to get even more young people interested in engineering."

About Hardy Services
Hardy Services is a Lancashire-based engineering company who offer a range of engineering solutions, including utilities and electrical. They also provide training courses.

For more information on their products and services, visit http://www.hardyservices.co.uk

Media Contact:
Company name: Hardy Services
Tel: 0844 209 4565
Website: http://www.hardyservices.co.uk
Contact person: Paul Hardy
Email: paul@hardyservices.co.uk
Address: 1 Kestrel Court, Bridgewater Close
Network 65 Business Park
Hapton
BB11 5NA