Provisional figures indicate that apprenticeship starts for academic year 2010/11 have risen by more than 50 per cent compared with final figures from 2009-10.

The Statistical First Release shows that apprenticeship numbers have risen across all age ranges and levels of training across the apprenticeships programme.

The data shows that there were 442,700 apprenticeship starts in the full 2010/11 academic year (final data for 2009/10 shows 279,700 starts).

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “This Government’s unprecedented investment in apprenticeships is working for businesses and creating long term career opportunities for record numbers of trainees.

“I’m particularly pleased that vital sectors like construction, manufacturing and engineering are continuing to back apprenticeships, despite tough economic times. By helping firms build a stronger skills base, this investment puts businesses on solid foundations to deliver sustainable growth and a more balanced and inclusive economy.

“The Government will continue to improve and strengthen the apprenticeships programme to drive up standards, cut bureaucracy for smaller firms and deliver more advanced level and high tech training.”

Of the 442,700 apprenticeships starts between August 2010 and July 2011 there were:
– 292,700 Intermediate Level apprenticeship starts (2009/10 figure 190,500);
– 147,900 Advanced Level apprenticeship starts (2009/10 figure 87,700);
– 2,100 Higher Apprenticeship starts (2009/10 figure 1,500).


Also:
– 128,300 apprenticeship starts by those aged under 19 ( 2009/10 figure 116,800);
– 138,900 apprenticeship starts by 19-24 year olds (2009/10 figure 113,800);
– 175,500 apprenticeship starts by those aged 25 and over (2009/10 figure 49,100).

Apprenticeship starts in key sectors:
– Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies with 47,020 apprenticeship starts (37,860 in 2009/10);
– Construction, Planning and the Built Environment with 26,560 apprenticeship starts (25,210 in 2009/10);
– Information and Communication Technology with 19,160 apprenticeship starts (12,570 in 2009/10).

The largest sectors were:
– Business, Administration and Law with 130,290 apprenticeship starts (76,590 in 2009/10);
– Retail and Commercial Enterprise with 100,630 apprenticeship starts (61,620 in 2009/10);
– Health, Public Services and Care with 86,120 apprenticeship starts (44,150 in 2009/10).

Job growth
A pharmaceuticals research and manufacturing company in Nottingham is to benefit from £1.6 million of government funding, creating 62 jobs.

Molecular Profiles provides pharmaceutical and biotechnology clients all over the world with specialist contract research in pharmaceutical formulation and small-scale manufacture. The company was founded in 1997 by an academic group from the University of Nottingham.

The funding from the Regional Growth Fund (RGF), alongside a further £7.2 million from the company, will be used to purchase land, build a 30,000 square-foot Research and Development facility and equip the new laboratory to significantly increase the company’s capacity. The project, from round one of the fund, has now successfully completed legal checks and can access government support.