BUSINESSES in West Devon are being urged to make bids to the 'Higher Apprenticeship Fund' by MP Geoffrey Cox.

Designed to promote the development of apprenticeships up to degree equivalent in companies where there is unmet demand for higher skills, the Higher Apprenticeship Fund was launched by Prime Minister David Cameron at the end of July.

Mr Cox, the West Devon and Torridge MP, who recently hosted a local business forum with the Minister for Business and Skills Mark Prisk in Tavistock, believes the scheme could be crucial for job creation and development in many key industries, including engineering, IT and manufacturing.

The £25-million Higher Apprenticeship Fund is in addition to the £180-million that has already funded more than 326,000 apprenticeships so far this year.