Shadow education secretary reveals plans to fund 30,000 places a year compared with present 10,000

The number of apprenticeships funded by the government would triple under the Conservatives, the party said today.

Shadow education secretary Michael Gove said the Conservatives would fund 30,000 young apprenticeship places a year compared with the present 10,000. He added that schools would be able to offer self-funded places if demand exceeded 30,000.

The move would cost £100m a year, part of which would be diverted from money currently used to encourage students to study vocational diplomas, which the Conservatives view as less valuable than apprenticeships.

Gove said: “This is crucial to tackling youth unemployment and recovering from the recession.”

Young apprenticeships require the student to spend at least 50 days with a relevant employer.

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