FIGURES released by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills show a huge rise in regional apprenticeships over the past year.

North-east apprenticeship start-ups have jumped from 18,510 in 2009/10 to 34,000 in 2010/11, representing a 45% increase regionally and 36% increase nationally.

Regional apprenticeship successes are also above the national average, up from 11,820 in 2009/10 to 13,260 for 2010/11. This is an 11% increase regionally and 5% nationally.

The North East Chamber of Commerce, one of the largest independent training providers in the region, has increased its own apprenticeship recruitment by 20% in the past year.

It has recorded a success rate of 90% compared to the national average of 76%.

NECC director of training and skills development, Patricia Wilkinson, said: “Today’s figures are outstanding and evidence that both businesses and prospective employees are increasingly recognising the value of apprenticeships as a way to grow talent and skills.

“NECC encourages all businesses to consider investing in apprenticeship programmes and these figures will further raise awareness of apprenticeships.

“Apprenticeships are an ideal way of addressing key business needs and recruiting and developing a highly skilled workforce that can be moulded to meet individual needs.

“Given the evident success of apprenticeships, now is the time for the Government to provide further incentives by cutting bureaucracy for small firms and encourage more companies to embrace staff development via tax breaks.”

The fifth National Apprenticeship Week takes place from Monday, February 6 to Friday, February 10. See Tuesday’s nebusiness supplement for a special report.