Mon, 10 Jan 2011
A growing number of engineering companies are opting to take on adult apprentices, according to new figures.
Research from EngineeringUK has revealed an 88 per cent rise in the number of people aged over 25 that took engineering apprentices between 2009 and 2010, Fresh Business Thinking reports.
Chief executive of the body Paul Jackson was quoted by the news source as saying the UK needs to "create apprenticeships in strategically important subjects such as engineering and manufacturing" if it is to successfully produce a new generation of highly-skilled personnel.
The rise in the number of adults looking to take apprenticeships in this industry has been attributed to new funding introduced three years ago in a bid to boost the amount of people improving their skills this way.
And the surge in demand for retraining opportunities as a result of the recession was also cited as a reason for the increase.
However, the research also revealed an eight per cent slide in the number of apprentices aged between 16 and 18 taking roles, as well as a nine per cent drop in the 16 to 25 age bracket.
Mr Jackson said these figures are "concerning" and urged political parties to address the issue in their general election campaigns.
In December 2009, the government said it had met its target for the number of successful apprenticeship completions two years ahead of schedule.
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills revealed statistics showing 143,400 people completed courses in the 2008-09 academic year, with the overall success rate for participants climbing to 70.9 per cent.
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