More than 20,000 new apprenticeships have been pledged by employers as part of last week's National Apprenticeship Week (3—7 March 2014).
From Lloyds committing to 5,000 apprentices, Greene King and Whitbread pledging 2,000 apiece and EE, Mitchells & Butlers and Starbucks each announcing 1,000 vacancies, hundreds of businesses around the country have taken advantage of the high-profile event.
Smaller organisations announcing plans to take on apprentices (47% of the grand total) include: Grimsby-based electrical contractor HYBRiD; Oldham construction firm Emanuel Whittaker; and Penzance customer services company TR18 Contact.
Other companies that have pledged new apprenticeships include Anglian Water, Ashtead Plant Hire, Babcock International, BT, Gestamp Tallent, IBM UK, Network Rail, Severn Trent Water and The Manufacturing Technology Centre.
"The government is putting an end to the damaging divide between vocational and academic learning," comments Business Secretary Vince Cable (pictured).
"We are committing the biggest ever investment in Apprenticeships and are on track to create two million apprenticeships over the course of this parliament," he continues.
"The resounding success of this year's National Apprenticeship week demonstrates that apprenticeships are deservedly becoming more popular with business of all sizes.
"Apprentices already contribute £1.8 billion to the economy and with these further commitments, thousands more people will now be able to get the practical skills they need to build careers and help firms grow."
