January 31, 2013 4.00 pm This story is over 134 months old

Record number of apprenticeships in Lincoln

New statistics show a record number of people in Lincoln started an apprenticeship in 2011/12, an increase of 86% compared to previous years.

Siemens Lincoln took on 44 apprentices last year as part of a national scheme — more than double the usual intake.

New statistics show a record number of people in Lincoln started an apprenticeship in 2011/12

The data also has provisional results for the number of apprenticeships started in the first quarter of 2012/13 — 420 people started apprenticeships in just three months.

In the last academic year, 1,340 people started an apprenticeship in Lincoln – an increase of 86% compared to 2009/10.

In the UK, a record half a million people started an apprenticeship last year.

Conservative Lincoln MP Karl McCartney MP said: “With the world around us changing, we will only succeed in the global race when everyone is given the chance to reach their full potential.

“Conservatives have dramatically increased the number of apprenticeships on offer compared to the last Labour Government.

“These record levels of apprenticeships are fantastic news for our country, for the city of Lincoln, and most of all for the people whose lives are being transformed by the opportunities they offer.”

Gordon Marsden MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Skills and Regional Growth, also commented on the statistics: “Today’s disappointing figures lay bare the continuing decline in numbers of apprenticeships for young people under David Cameron with a 15% drop in comparison to the same period last year, while the overall number of apprenticeship starts have also dropped by over 6%.

“With youth unemployment at almost one million as a result of the Tories’ economic failure, ministers need to get a grip and boost apprenticeship opportunities for young people,” he added.