Skills Minister John Hayes said, “Clarity of policy, strength of commitment and certainty of purpose has delivered record numbers of apprenticeship starts, outstanding success rates and growth across all sectors. This success, mirrored in every English region, is putting businesses on stronger ground to deliver a more balanced economy. It is equipping young people with the skills that build prosperous careers, and forging communities in which the common good is served through creative endeavour and purposeful pride."

“Thousands of higher apprenticeships will open up new pathways to excellence for the brightest and best learners. A zero tolerance approach to unnecessary red tape, and new financial incentives for small firms will enable more employers to offer gold standard training to match and beat our international competitors.”

In further news the government has announced a new £6 million round of funding to support thousands of degree-level higher apprenticeships. This is in additon to a £25 million boost for the Higher Apprenticeship Fund launched in July last year by David Cameron. Businesses and training providers can bid for a share of the £6 million fund, which will support the development of thousands of new higher apprenticeships in sectors including aerospace and renewable technologies.

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