Official statistics show that in the four years to 2009/10 around 82,730, people began an apprenticeship programme in the East of England region compared to 177,080 over the past four years.
As part of the Government’s review into 16-24 provision, it became clear that it’s not always easy for young people to find full and detailed information about their post-16 options in one place, at the right time, to help them get advice and make decisions on their future. The aim is therefore to create a similar system to UCAS that can help all young students access information on the college courses, apprenticeships, traineeships and other work-based training programmes happening in their area.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “Gone are the days when a vocational education is seen as the poor relation when it comes to choosing a career path. I’m delighted to be able to celebrate such a phenomenal rise in young people being given the opportunity to work as they learn across the East of England region.
“In fact we are just days away from being able to celebrate the two millionth apprentice starting work in England since 2010. Good quality apprenticeships give hard-working young people the chance to aim high for their dream job whilst playing their part in building a stronger economy for Britain.
“Whilst it is truly exciting to be able to celebrate the tide turning with wider-ranging opportunities for our school leavers aside from university, more is needed to show young people that all the doors open to them. By creating a one-stop shop for the growing choices 16-year-olds have, more young people will be able to access the options available to them and make better informed choices about their career paths.”
Caroline Williams CEO Norfolk Chamber said: “Apprenticeships remain a very important option for Norfolk’s young people. An increasing number of businesses are planning to offer apprenticeship as finding skilled workers becomes increasingly difficult. At Norfolk Chamber we have two staff who have recently completed their apprenticeship and are now full time staff members and have two more currently on apprenticeships.
All four are very valuable members of the team and bring new energy and enthusiasm. We are concerned however that the schools are not taking apprenticeships as seriously as the business community. Apprenticeships are now a very real option which need to be considered by our young people and we would encourage our schools to ensure that this option is given equal weight to alternative routes”
