Policy & Practice: Soapbox - Apprenticeships reclaim their rightfulplace in work

The decline of UK manufacturing towards the end of the 20th century led to fewer young people pursuing careers in engineering and manufacturing.

In recent years, apprentice numbers have been on the rise again - currently standing at 255,000 compared with 75,000 in 1997, thanks to the Modern Apprenticeship programme, which covers 150 different skills areas in a range of industry sectors. However, an apprenticeship has too often been the poor relation of the academic route.

Fortunately, that perception is changing. A recent shake up of apprenticeships (YPN, 12-18 May, p2) - backed up by a high-profile advertising campaign - is introducing apprenticeships to school pupils as young as 14. Removing the upper-age limit of 24 will also allow more people to achieve an apprenticeship qualification.