New analysis shows the following increases across the North East local authority areas in completions between 2003-04 and 2007-08:
- Darlington
70 per cent increase (130 in 2003-04 to 220 in 2007-08)
- Durham
96 per cent increase (790 in 2003-04 to 1,550 in 2007-08)
- Gateshead
141 per cent increase (240 in 2003-04 to 580 in 2007-08)
- Hartlepool
82 per cent increase (190 in 2003-04 to 350 in 2007-08)
- Middlesbrough
51 per cent increase (260 in 2003-04 to 390 in 2007-08)
- Newcastle
168 per cent increase (230 in 2003-04 to 620 in 2007-08)
- North Tyneside
198 per cent increase (170 in 2003-04 to 500 in 2007-08)
- Northumberland
183 per cent increase (340 in 2003-04 to 970 in 2007-08)
- Redcar and Cleveland
66 per cent increase (270 in 2003-04 to 440 in 2007-08)
- South Tyneside
138 per cent increase (220 in 2003-04 to 520 in 2007-08)
- Stockton
64 per cent increase (350 in 2003-04 to 580 in 2007-08)
- Sunderland
88 per cent increase (490 in 2003-04 to 910 in 2007-08)
Nationally, a total of 112,600 people completed an apprenticeship in 2007-08, compared to just 49,300 people in 2003-04.
Today's figures show big rises in communities across England with the Government well on its way to meeting its target of 130,000 completions by 2010-11.
The record number of 225,000 people starting an apprenticeship in 2007-08 will feed through into higher numbers of completions in the years to come, helping to meet the 130,000 target for completions.
