Apprenticeship applications up by a third

ONLINE apprenticeship applications in the North West have increased by nearly a third since last year, with over 192,790 applications made for vacancies in the past 12 months.
 
The number of vacancies has also increased sharply, up 24% to 20,580 but each one attracts on average nine applications.
 
Data from the National Apprenticeship Service shows London recorded the highest growth in the number of online vacancies advertised, with 17,154 vacancies in 2012/13 compared to 11,908 the previous year, up 44%.

The number of online Apprenticeship vacancies in the South West increased by 40%, followed by Yorkshire and the Humber (34%) and the South East (33%).
 
Skills minister Matthew Hancock said: “We want to see it become the norm that young people either go to university or into an apprenticeship. To match the growing popularity of apprenticeships, I would urge more employers to consider how hiring an apprentice could benefit their business.”
 
The most competitive job areas were live events and promotion with 35 applications per vacancy, plumbing and heating (33) and marine industry (28).