The Prime Minister has announced new funding for thousands of apprenticeships up to degree equivalent.
Businesses and training providers are being invited to bid for a share of £6m from the Higher Apprenticeship Fund, which will support the development of thousands of new Higher Apprenticeships in sectors including aerospace, energy and renewable technologies.
The Prime Minister also opened the bidding for the new Employer Ownership pilot, inviting employers in England to apply to access up to £250m of public investment and secure more control over how skills training is designed and delivered.
"I'm delighted to underline our commitment to strengthen our economy by helping employers take on apprentices and ensure that the UK workforce has the skills that businesses need," Mr Cameron said.
"Under this Government apprenticeship starts are increasing at a record rate, with improvements across the age range, in all sectors, throughout the country.
"By making apprenticeships a gold standard option for ambitious young people, we are sending a message that technical excellence is as highly valued as academic prowess.
"And by focusing investment where it is most needed to deliver sustainable growth and offering real ownership of vocational training to employers, we are equipping businesses with the skills they need to rebalance our economy and distribute opportunity more widely."
The Government said the latest data shows "record growth in apprenticeship starts, with some 457,200 starting an apprenticeship in the full 2010/11 academic year - this represents a 63.5 per cent increase on 2009/10 figures".
Growth took place at all levels of learning, for all age groups, and across all sectors and all regions.
A new report from City & Guilds predicts that extra apprenticeship places would generate £1.2bn in tax revenues between 2012-2020.
Dods Parliamentary Communications Ltd
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