The newly released figures also show an 8% increase on apprenticeships within the last year with many more taking up this unique blend of on-the-job training, with a wage and college-based learning.
As well as driving up the number of people boosting their skills through apprenticeships, Government reforms are also improving the quality of apprenticeships with £2.3 billion of additional funding announced for 2023-24 and 2023-25.
Places such as Burnley College are set to benefit the most as they continue to deliver the skills and training required within the borough.
This is alongside the introduction of T-Levels which sees courses developed in collaboration with employers and businesses, to meets the needs of industry as students prepare for work. And comes in addition to the establishment of twelve Institutes of Technology across the UK, including one within Burnley.
A big advocate of apprenticeships, local MP Antony Higginbotham said:
Apprenticeships are fantastic ways for students to enter the world of work, helping them to build new skills and gain vital industry knowledge – all the while being paid.
Having attended the Themis Awards only last week I know just how transformative apprenticeships are to those undertaking them. And so it’s brilliant to see that 1,830 new apprenticeships have been created in Burnley and Padiham since I was elected. Each new placement means another student building the skills and knowledge they need for a long and successful career.
For years there's been too much of a push for University - which whilst great for some, doesn't work for all. It’s why Government is right to change UCAS so it now advertises both university degrees and apprenticeships - putting them on an even footing and making sure young people have all the options presented to them.
Commenting, Education Secretary Gillian Keegan said:
My apprenticeship was my golden ticket. It gave me a unique insight into how a business operated, from the shop floor to the boardroom. I learnt the skills that businesses truly value and it launched my career in international business.
This National Apprenticeship week I hope more people learn about the incredible opportunities available in everything from engineering to healthcare. Whatever career goals you aspire to, they can be achieved through an apprenticeship which can take you all the way up to masters degree level.
