£3.7bn boost from apprentices

The CEBR said that this figure includes gains to the economy from higher wages, business profits and taxes.

The survey found that Yorkshire and the Humber had 103,820 apprentices in 2012/13, which is 11 per cent of the UK total.

The figures were revealed after a ‘Made by apprentices 1914 – 2014’ event held yesterday on board HMS St Albans, which marked 100 years of apprenticeships.

Minister of State for Skills Nick Boles said yesterday: “Today’s celebration demonstrates how they (apprentices) have long played a key role in the workforce.”