YORK has appeared in a top ten list nationally for growing apprenticeship numbers as employers and training providers across the city work to build a workforce for the future.

City of York Council has welcomed new figures which show a 30 percent increase in the number of people starting apprenticeships in the past year, making it the UK’s sixth top-performing local authority.

Figures released by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills have shown that 1,690 York residents have started an apprenticeship in the last year (2014/15), 390 more than the last academic year.

The statistics also show York to be one of the highest performing local authorities for apprenticeship growth among businesses with York ranking sixth out of 151 at full Local Authority level, meaning it is in the top four per cent of Local Authorities.

The figures also showed that around 20 percent of this growth in apprenticeships was generated by the council-led York Apprenticeship Hub which helps small businesses new to apprenticeships, supporting them through the process and helping them find the training provider and right person for the job.

Councillor Keith Aspden, deputy leader of City of York Council said: "It’s good to see work with partners across York paying off, creating opportunities for our residents as well as helping businesses to grow, which we are delighted to support. We remain committed to maintaining this growth and continuing to have the York Apprenticeship Hub support businesses looking to create apprenticeships and keep talent within the city.”

The news comes ahead of City of York Council hosting its fifth York Apprenticeship Graduation & Awards Ceremony tomorrow evening when more than 1,000 eligible apprentices are invited to graduate at a ceremony at the Royal York Hotel.

Young people yet to register to attend the event are asked to contact York.apprenticeships@york.gov.uk or call (01904) 551971 for more information or to book their place.