In Reading two great centres of apprenticeships are Reading College and the brand new University Technical College.

These two organisations and many others across the country are delivering 2 million apprenticeships and will deliver 3 million more by 2020.

Apprenticeships provide an alternative, but no less rigorous, education for those young people who do not think that university is the path they want to tread. While I am proud of Reading’s brilliant university I also believe that it is right that we provide our young people with multiple pathways to rewarding, secure and well paid jobs.

Similarly, it is not just a binary choice between university on the one hand and apprenticeships on the other. Almost one in five advanced apprentices go on to higher education. This kind of choice is at the centre of my holistic vision for education in Reading.

That vision is simple; choice and transparency for parents, autonomy and support for teachers and an excellent education system, focused on the needs of every child. Most important is that all this should be available to all children, regardless of background or their parent’s income.

This solid grounding will give all children in Reading the foundational skills they need to progress through their exams and to flourish in whatever arena they wish to pursue. Regardless of if they aspire to go to university, to become an entrepreneur or to undertake an apprenticeship.

For too long apprenticeships have not been seen as a real alternative to university, however the chance to get straight into the workplace and get real world experience is very appealing to many young people.

I am proud of the steps the government has taken to promote this option to young people and to ensure that apprenticeships are just as prestigious a route to an enjoyable career as a degree would be.