Apprenticeship popularity soars in the UK

Applications for apprenticeships in the UK have soared by nearly a third compared with the same period last year, according to the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS).

More than 1.4 million applications were made over the 12 months ending in July, 32% up on 2012.

While the number of vacancies has increased from 101,000 to 129,000, this 27% rise is not keeping pace with demands with 11 applications being made for each vacancy.

While Live Events and Promotions was the most popular application category, with 19 made for each vacancy, vehicle maintenance and repair is just in the top five with 67,750 applications made.

Skills Minister Matthew Hancock said: “To match the growing popularity of apprenticeships, I would urge more employers to consider how hiring an apprentice could benefit their business.

“More than 70% of employers say apprentices boosted their service or product.”

Research from the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) suggest apprentices could contribute £3.4 billion a year to the UK economy through productivity gains by 2022.

It also says that engineering and manufacturing firms stand to benefit most from apprentices at an average of £414 a week, £200 a week more than the average.