Budget March 2011

Steve Gray, Chief executive of Blackburn-based training provider, Training 2000, has responded to Chancellor George Osborne's announcement that the Government has allocated £180million to fund 50,000 new Apprenticeship places over the coming three years.

"As a leading provider of Apprenticeships in the North West, we are delighted that the Government is recognising the importance and value of Apprenticeships to the UK economy.

"The UK lags significantly behind several of our European neighbours in the number of companies which offer Apprenticeships, so we hope that this investment will encourage more companies to employ apprentices and create a strong and valued workforce and economy.

"With youth unemployment at an all-time high, Apprenticeships offer a realistic solution to getting young people back into work and on the career ladder."