Scheme to provide vocational education

 Apprentices in Leeds will soon be able to study for degrees and post-graduate qualifications while working under proposals being considered by the Government.

 The apprentice programme, which has already been extended to cover foundation degrees, is designed to open up careers in areas such as construction, advanced engineering and financial services to people from a wider range of backgrounds.

 The new proposals aim to allow companies to develop apprenticeships at bachelor and masters degree level. By doing so, Ministers hope advanced skills gaps in theUKeconomy can be filled.

 "Economic flexibility and social progress depends on there being a choice of excellent academic courses and strong vocational education," said a10 Downing Streetsource.

  "These new apprenticeships will help more young people to receive on-the-job training at top companies ensuring that the vocational route is a highway to success, not a cul-de-sac."

 Businesses and other stakeholders are set to be consulted by the National Apprenticeship Service in an effort to draw up specifications for the study, which could be available by the next academic year.

 Copyright Press Association 2012