New ‘apprentices’ in East Devon increased by 11 per cent last year.

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This week is National Apprenticeship Week and across East Devon 1,460 people started apprenticeships in the academic year 2011-12.

And at least 25 per cent of those were in Exmouth.

While a further 470 have started in the first quarter of this academic year.

This is a percentage increase of 11 per cent compared to 2009 to 2010.

The news comes as the Centre for Economics and Business Research (CEBR) have predicted that apprenticeships over the next decade could contribute £3.4 billion a year to the economy by 2022.

East Devon MP Hugo Swire said he backed the Prime Minister’s vision that ‘the new norm’ for young people would be to either go to university or start an apprenticeship.

He said: “We are investing in apprenticeships to ensure that the country has the skills it needs to compete in the world and people across East Devon are benefiting from this.

“Apprenticeships are a win for the individual and a win for the business.

“National Apprenticeship this week provides a great opportunity to celebrate the positive impact that apprenticeships have on individuals, businesses and the economy.”