If Britain is to remain a world leader in terms of skilled professionals, apprenticeships need to be provided for young people in all occupations, as well as improving the way in which they are perceived, a charity has said.

The new report, entitled ‘Real Apprenticeships’ – which was carried out on behalf of charity the Sutton Trust by business strategy advisory firm Boston Consulting Group – confirmed that other countries, such as Germany and Switzerland, have the right attitude towards apprenticeships, as they are well aware of their value both in terms of economic benefits and social mobility.

Britain should consider following in the footsteps of these other countries in order to boost its skilled workforce and its overall economy, the research said. Germany currently follows a three year apprenticeship model, which, if Britain was to do the same, would boost the UK economy by