Apprenticeship numbers in the UK have climbed across all age ranges and training levels, according to the latest figures, rising by over 50 per cent compared with the last academic year.

According to the Statistical First Release for 2010-2011, the biggest sectors for apprenticeships between August 2010 and July 2011 were health, public services and care, retail and commercial enterprise and business, administration and law.

Vince Cable, business secretary, explained that "unprecedented investment" from the government in internships is helping businesses and also creating career opportunities over the long term for a record number of people.

"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," he remarked.

This comes as the Electrical Contractors' Association launches a new employment scheme - Wired for Success: ECA Women into Electrical Contracting - to help boost the numbers of women working in the industry.

Posted by Alex Donnell