According to provisional data published today by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, the apprenticeship programme continues to grow with 383,200 new starts in the first nine month of the 2011-2012 academic year.
The statistics show that the apprenticeship take up is increasing across all regions at all levels, particularly in advanced and higher levels. The data also revealed that 1,374,200 people joined the Skills for Life course to improve basic skills.
Skills Minister John Hayes said: “The growth in apprenticeships is really welcoming news. The Government has put apprenticeships at the heart of our skills policy because they equip people with the skills they need for a prosperous future and provide businesses with the expertise they need to grow.
At the same time as increasing the number of apprenticeships, I have been relentless in my commitment to quality – striving to ensure that every apprenticeship is as good as the best.”
