Apprenticeships rise by 50% in 2011
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The number of apprenticeships in the UK has risen by more than 50 per cent in the academic year 2010/11 compared to the year before.
Figures show that 442,700 people have taken up an apprenticeship as more businesses have answered the government's call to create more placements to skill-up the UK workforce.
Of these, almost 130,000 were undertaken by people aged under 19, while 175,500 were by people aged over 25.
IT has been one of the sectors with the biggest growth in the number of apprenticeships on offer. This academic year has seen 19,160 apprenticeship starts compared to 12,570 last year.
Engineering and manufacturing technologies, meanwhile, has improved its apprenticeship numbers the most, with 47,020 new starters, followed by the construction sector.
"By helping firms build a stronger skills base, this investment puts businesses on solid foundations to deliver sustainable growth and a more balanced and inclusive economy," commented business secretary Vince Cable.
He said that the apprenticeships programme will continue to grow, driving up standards, cutting bureaucracy for smaller firms and delivering more advanced level training.
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