APPRENTICESHIPS in the North East have nearly doubled in the last two years, according to new research.
In a report published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, it is revealed that the numbers of people starting apprenticeships in the region rose from 18,510 in 2009/10 to 34,000 in 2010/2011, one of the highest rises in the country.
Over the last four years, training places in the North East have grown by 169% with people over 25 accounting for two thirds of the increase.
Patricia Wilkinson, director of Training and Skills Development at the North East Chamber of Commerce, the region’s largest independent training provider, said the figures were “outstanding”.
She added: “These figures are evidence that both businesses and prospective employees are increasingly recognising the value of apprenticeships.”
In a separate report published today, the National Audit Office acknowledged that apprenticeships are value for money, but urged the Government to get an even higher return from the millions it spends by targeting resources.
TUC Northern Regional Secretary Kevin Rowan said: “It has never been easier for employers to recruit and train apprentices, yet only one in 10 businesses in the North East do so.”
The watchdog was also concern that 19% of courses lasted less than six months and only a third were at advanced level, compared to 60% in France.
Newcastle North Labour MP, Catherine McKinnell said: “Too many of these apprenticeships do not last long enough to provide the genuine benefits that a quality apprenticeship should bring.”
The service sector proved popular with people wanting an apprenticeship, although just 2% were interested in engineering which concerns the manufacturing organisation EEF.
Its regional spokesman Tony Sarginson said: “On the surface, the small increase in engineering growth reflects the slow recovery in our industries. After many years of neglect of engineering apprentices.
“It seems to be swamped by the big increase in what are really ‘new’ apprenticeships.”
