High demand for Apprenticeships

The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) has published details of Apprenticeship applications and vacancies, revealing that it receives an average of 11 applications for each Apprenticeship.  Between February and April of this year, there were almost 370,000 applications for 32,600 Apprenticeship vacancies.  Demand rose for Apprenticeships in the arts, media and ICT with up to 17 applicants per position. NAS figures show this is a 32 per cent increase in demand since last year  –  but demand continues to outstrip availability with the number of Apprenticeships available rising by only 15 per cent over the same period.  However, NAS confirmed that at the end of April 17,700 live vacancies were available online  –  the highest number recorded. NAS revealed the Apprenticeship with the highest number of applications is Business and Administration, while the most competitive individual subjects to apply for were Plumbing and Heating, Bus and Coach engineering / Maintenance, Animal Care, Health Pharmacy Services and Construction Specialist.  The findings also found some interesting regional differences with London seeing the most significant increase in availability of Apprenticeships:  29 per cent more vacancies than the previous year.  [ source Youth Connexions ]