High number apply for apprenticeships in UK

A record number of people are applying for apprenticeships in the UK, with up to 17 per vacancy, new figures have shown.

Almost 370,000 applications were made online in the quarter to April, an increase of a third compared to the same time last year.

The number of apprenticeships being advertised rose by 15 per cent to 32,600, with between 10 and 17 people applying for each position.

The National Apprenticeship Service said the most competition was in London, with 17 applications per vacancy.

The biggest increases in apprenticeship vacancies were in vehicle sales, the power industry, clinical healthcare support, advanced engineering construction and leisure management.

The most competitive sectors included the arts, media and publishing.

Skills Minister Matthew Hancock said: “With more vacancies than ever before, apprenticeships are fast becoming the norm for young people who want to achieve their career goals through an alternative route to university.

“We want more employers to take advantage of the advice and support available from the National Apprenticeship Service and consider how hiring an apprentice could benefit their business.”

Shadow skills minister Gordon Marsden said: “At a time when there are almost one million young people out of work, creating new quality apprenticeships was a key test for David Cameron.

“But today’s figures show that as demand massively outstrips supply, this Tory-led Government has failed to deliver the apprenticeships this country needs.”

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “These figures are further proof of the progress we have made in raising the status of vocational skills and putting them on a par with academic achievement.

“Over the last two years, we have almost doubled the number of apprenticeships. However, we still need to do more to help young people get on which is why we have introduced a £1,500 incentive for small businesses who take on an apprentice aged 16-24.”