The Prime Minister talked about the need for workers with skills to create a balanced economy and called for an end to "the old snobbery about vocational education and training".  

He said that although funding had been provided for 250,000 extra apprenticeships not enough big companies are delivering and he made a direct appeal to employers on behalf of the government: "If you want skilled employees, we'll provide the funding, we'll cut the red tape. But you've got to show more leadership and give us the apprenticeships we need."

Government funding covers the full costs of Apprenticeship training for 16-18 year olds and just over 50% of the costs of training for Apprentices aged 19 and over.

DMT offers a range of support to help employers, especially small and medium sized businesses, to take on Apprentices, including support to make it cost effective to take on young people, who are finding it particularly difficult to get started in employment in the current economic circumstances.