Apprenticeships 'offer many advantages'

More than three-quarters of apprentices (76 per cent) feel that they would not be receiving their current salary without taking on such programmes.

That is according to a new survey by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC), which suggested that apprenticeship schemes boost workers' career development.

It discovered that 94 per cent of people who have taken up such a programme feel that there are a range of benefits available through them like improved social skills, higher salaries, more confidence and better job prospects.

The survey accompanies the launch of the National Apprenticeships Service, which is part of the government's target of offering all suitably qualified young people an apprenticeship by 2013.

Lord Young, the skills and apprenticeships minister, said: "The launch of the National Apprenticeship Service is testament to the government's commitment to ensuring the future of our nation's skills.

"Apprenticeship numbers have more than trebled over the past ten years and the new service will play an integral part in meeting our apprenticeship targets."