A Labour parliamentary candidate has set out what his party will do to reverse "the Conservatives’ failure on skills" which is "holding back our economy" to mark National Apprenticeships Week.

Sean Woodcock, the candidate for Banbury, Chipping Norton & the North Oxfordshire villages, pledged a plan to equip people with necessary skills for future jobs, emphasising that the deficiency is impeding economic growth.

He said: "On their [the Conservative's] watch, apprenticeship starts have plummeted and businesses can’t fill vacancies.

"Many in our community lack the basic digital skills required in our economy, young people are leaving education without the qualifications they need and understandably feel unprepared for their futures."

He added: "Our public services have growing skills shortages; businesses are being held back, unable to fill job vacancies."

He believes that, despite peoples' ambition for their future and their desire to acquire new skills, advance in their jobs, and progress at work, they are "being let down" by the current Government.

Mr Woodcock squarely placed the blame on the Conservatives, claiming they have overseen a decade of skills and training opportunities decline, causing financial damage to Britain.

However, he said that a Labour government could reverse this by utilising the British peoples' ambition and determination to create a functional skills system.

Mr Woodcock said: "Labour will give businesses the flexibility to train their workforce and deliver growth."

He outlined reforms including to "the Tories’ failed apprenticeships levy", to be named the "Growth and Skills Levy".

He says it will enable adults to acquire new skills and facilitate business development.

He said a Labour government would recruit more than 1,000 new careers advisors and deliver two weeks worth of work experience for every young person.

He said this would be funded by "ending private schools’ tax breaks", ensuring young people "leave education ready for work and ready for life".

Underscoring the importance of skills improvement, he explained that addressing this area will be a top priority for Labour, led by a new body, Skills England.

The party intends to delegate control on skills spending to local communities, to better align training with the needs of local businesses.

Mr Woodcock said: "By giving power to communities, Labour will grow local and regional economies across England.

"These reforms will boost the talents and abilities of the British people so we can strengthen our economy and face the future.

"More training opportunities so people can gain new skills, access better jobs and grow our economy.

"That’s the difference a Labour government will make."