Apprenticeships a gold standard, says Cameron

Firms who take on new apprentices are offering potential employees the gold standard of recruitment options.

This has been suggested by prime minister David Cameron, who explained government initiatives to encourage uptake of this option is sending out a message that technical excellence is just as highly regarded as academic prowess.

A £6 million share of the Higher Apprenticeship fund has been made available to firms that offer this option from today (February 7th).

Bidding for the Employer Ownership pilot has also been opened to secure more of a say regarding how skills training is administered.

"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," Mr Cameron remarked.

Minister for skills John Hayes recently claimed the growing success of apprenticeships is a testament to the strength of official coalition policy.