WORCESTERSHIRE Local Enterprise Partnerships is aiming at an extra 500 apprenticeships in the county next year after the success of National Apprenticeship Week 2014. The target is part of a pledge by West Midlands LEP's to significantly increase the number of apprenticeship vacancies across the region over the next year. The growth will be achieved by LEPs working closely with employers, colleges, training providers and the National Apprenticeship Service to provide more opportunities for young people.

The news comes after figures from the Apprenticeships Index released by the National Apprenticeship Service showed an increase in applications for apprenticeships of 31 per cent in the West Midlands and 48 per cent in the East Midlands.

Karen Riley, Skills Funding Agency deputy director, Employer and Provider Services (Midlands), said: “I welcome this commitment from the LEPs in the Midlands. Young people are increasingly making apprenticeships their first choice and more than half say they would like to do an apprenticeship if one were available. So it’s great the LEPs have chosen to follow National Apprenticeship Week with the announcement of their apprenticeship growth plans.”

Worcestershire LEP is aiming for 500 extra apprenticeship starts by March 2015. The latest figures show that 5600 people in the county have started on an apprenticeship. This pledge will help increase this to 6100.