Under the plan, 50,000 more young people are expected to benefit from apprenticeships over the next three years.

Elaine Bowker, principal of City of Liverpool College (Merseyside’s largest FE College) welcomed the announcement, saying:

“As the College for Business in The Liverpool City Region we welcome today’s government announcement on apprenticeships. The rising levels of NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) is unacceptable, we cannot afford to lose a generation of talent. Across the City Region we work closely with employers in engineering, hospitality, social care and digital to ensure our curriculum reflects their changing requirements.

“It is our social and moral responsibility as a leading provider of apprenticeships to turn disadvantage to advantage and, as we have consistently for decades, to work closely with our employer partners to help create tomorrow’s workforce.”

Paul Cherpeau, chief executive of Liverpool Chamber, added:

“Apprenticeships are an established and important route for young people to gain the skills necessary for a successful career, while for employers they are offer crucial access to a future talent pipeline.

“We know from our work as the lead convenor for the Local Skills Improvement Plan that businesses want to see further expansion of funding for vocational and work-based training, so this latest announcement will be welcome news. Other important measures, such as simplification of the Apprentice Levy, still require attention.”