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The Apprenticeships Review outlines the measures Government will take to ensure apprenticeships become a mainstream option for young people, as well as plans to increase apprenticeships for older learners.

Last November, the Government announced substantial increases in funding to expand the apprenticeship programme over the next three years. This new review sets out how that expansion will be delivered, how quality will be improved and how better support will be offered to employers.

The plan sets out objectives to make apprenticeships a mainstream option for 16-18 year olds and to ensure that places are available for all qualified young people by 2013, with significant growth in apprenticeships for older learners as well.

Further measures include a pilot wage subsidy programme for small businesses and a task force to improve the take up of apprenticeships in London, where there is a current shortfall.

A National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) is being planned to oversee qualifications and encourage young people to explore non-traditional areas. Part of its remit is to encourage female apprentices to consider construction-related trades.

SummitSkills鈥� chief executive Keith Marshall was 鈥渂roadly positive鈥� about the moves. 鈥淚鈥檓 very pleased with the fact that there will be more funds for adult trainees, and also the plans for a wage subsidy for small businesses.鈥�

JTL鈥檚 chief executive Denis Hird welcomed the review: 鈥淰ocational training is not the poor relation of academia and the growing number of apprenticeships across the country is testament to this.

鈥淎ny employer can see the value of recruiting an employee who has both the direct experience and theoretical knowledge to back it up.鈥�

The number of young people and adults successfully completing apprenticeships has already risen from around 40 000 in 2001/02 to over 100 000 per year today.