According to recent figures released by the National Apprenticeship service, opportunities for the young in Sussex are bucking the national trend.
Whilst government figures have revealed a 19% drop in the number of 16 to 18 year-olds starting apprenticeships between February and April this year than the same period last year.
However, 18,760 apprenticeship applications were submitted across the south east and Sussex between February and April 2013. This conveys a substantial year-on-year growth at 36%. Additionally, there has also been a 25% increase in the number of apprenticeship vacancies with over 2519 advertised online in the three months.
Mark Howard, Divisional Area Director for the National Apprenticeship Service, Southern said: “The National Apprenticeship Service is working with employers, of all sizes, across Sussex to support the growth of quality apprenticeships in line with the Government’s aspirations for apprenticeships. The Apprenticeship Grant for Employers has now supported 29,100 new apprenticeships, of which 65% are 16 to 18-year-olds. We continue to work with employers and training providers to make it easier for employers to provide opportunities for young people across Sussex and to increase the number of young people who are ready to take up apprenticeship opportunities.”
