Rise in apprenticeships welcomed

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: "Today’s figures mean we are starting to turn the tide. Over half a million people took up an apprenticeship last year, showing that our investment in vocational skills is paying off,"

Skills for Justice, the Sector Skills Council for Justice, Community Safety and Legal Services, welcomed the news that there were more than 500,000 new starts in 2011/12.

Technical Specialist for Apprenticeships Kevyn Burns said:

“We are encouraged to see that our efforts to promote the benefits of apprenticeships with employers are contributing to this increase in starts.

“We are currently witnessing an increasing number of employers and learners engaging with apprenticeships across our footprint.

"Recently we assisted the legal services sector to develop higher level apprenticeships, which will play a significant part in helping apprenticeships to be seen as a valued career pathway, and one with parity with academic higher educational routes.

“We welcome Government action that continues to encourage employer support and use of apprenticeships.”

Dr Cable said apprenticeships have been “a great success story”.

“It’s very popular with business, improving our training; it’s seen as a good career progression for young people who see a future in vocational training; the apprenticeship brand is something we have revived and made a success of and it’s a very positive story all round.”