EDUCATION is a key battleground for the political candidates as the General Election fast approaches.

In particular, policies on university fees and further education transport could sway young, first time voters.

Transport for pupils aged 16 and above is a hot topic - cuts to rural bus services and Cumbria County Council’s decision to withdraw subsidised fares casts doubt over how some students are going to get to and from school or college.

A council spokesman said: “We made our decision to withdraw subsidised transport for post-16 students in February last year as part of the £88m a year cost-cutting measures that the council has had no option but to deliver.

“But we decided to protect the most vulnerable students by continuing to provide free travel to post-16 students from low income families.”

Apprenticeships are at an all-time high, with 450 created in Westmorland and Lonsdale in the last six months.

Graham Wilkinson, principal at Kendal College, believes apprenticeship schemes should remain a top priority for candidates.

He said: “Apprenticeships need to be high on the agenda of the next government and they must provide apprenticeships as a priority for future generations. Kendal College supports 852 work-based apprentices, but we need a real commitment from the next government to educating and offering independent advice and guidance in relation to career opportunities; both in schools and within workplaces. Currently, many schools do not fully understand or encourage apprenticeships as a career option, which is a real shame.”

Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon, hydroelectric turbine specialists based in Kendal, have employed 19 apprentices since 2009.

Production manager Rebecca Sandham said: “Apprenticeships are the foundation for any business’s growth and stability. Apprentices are loyal to their employers and are the platform for long-term commitments and business planning. Not to prioritise such crucial schemes is failing to plan for the future. Apprentices absorb so much as young learners - to ignore the incredible opportunities of watching talent grow and developing your own people would be self-defeating.”

What the candidates say about education:

John Bateson, Labour

“Labour will ensure every permanent teacher is fully qualified. We’ll end Free Schools and prioritise new schools in areas where there’s a shortage of places.

The coalition trebled tuition fees – we’ll reduce them from £9,000 to £6,000 and increase maintenance. Labour will transform vocational education and ensure young people not at university get the training they need for skilled jobs - through apprenticeships and technical qualifications and degrees.”

A Labour government will create opportunities for all young people."

Alan Piper, Ukip

“Ukip is very much in favour of apprenticeship qualifications to promote the status of vocational skills and is generally pro-grammar and pro free schools. It wants, under some conditions, to see degree tuition fees scrapped for core science subjects. Having a daughter at Ulverston High School, I believe OFSTED works because the attitudes of staff and pupils there are exemplary - a huge contrast to what used to be deemed state-sector ‘acceptable’, which drove so many parents to look for private alternatives, including me.”

Tim Farron, Liberal Democrat

“I’m proud we’ve secured millions of pounds of funding for the pupil premium to offer children tailored support. I want to extend the free school meals scheme to everyone at primary school and to make sure local schools get more funding for renovations and upgrades.

I’ll work with Kendal College to push apprenticeships and offer more Higher Education courses. I also want to see Ambleside Campus as a green tech hub. And I will work to remove the costs on families on post-16 transport.”

Chris Loynes, Green Party

“All state schools would be restored to local authority control and teaching and learning transformed to meet the needs and interests of all students. Vocational and academic pathways would be equally valued and teaching methods developed in response to how students learn best. The curriculum would become an effective preparation for the society of the future. Further education would be boosted and university fees would be scrapped.

Nobody should start their adult life in debt.”

Ann Myatt, Conservative

“A new Conservatiive government would: •Offer each child a good primary school place; •Turn every failing or ‘coasting’ secondary school into an academy and deliver free schools in communities that want them; •Support teachers in developing world-class maths, science and computing skills; •Create three million new apprenticeships; and •Make sure there is no cap on university places, so we have aspiration for all.”