Basic apprenticeships fell 12% last year and advanced apprenticeships slipped 4% according to government figures
The number of young people taking apprenticeships declined last year, according to figures released by the Department of Education and Skills.
![scaffold apprentice](https://d2vhdk00tg424t.cloudfront.net/MediaLibrary/s3/ubm-library/web/q/n/p/leeds_apprentice_lead.jpg)
The number of basic apprenticeships suffered a 12% fall from 159,500 in January 2006 to 140,100 in January this year.
Advanced apprenticeships fell by 4% from 100,400 to 96,200. The higher-level apprenticeships have declined by 53% since January 2001.
The report also revealed that engineering and manufacturing technology is the most popular area of work-based learning, accounting for 25% of all apprenticeships.
Apprenticeships in construction, planning and the built environment accounted for 16% of the total number.
A green paper released by the DfES last week revealed the department is aiming to provide apprenticeships for every young person that wants one by 2013.
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