THE number of apprentices in the Ribble Valley has soared, it has been revealed.

New figures show there are now 1,000 apprentices, aged between 16 and 24, in the borough – a 47.1per cent increase on the previous year.

The data, for 2010-2011, has been released to highlight National App-rentice Week, which aims to celeb-rate the achievements of learners, and employers.

Businesses can now apply for a share of £6million from the Higher Apprenticeship Fund. The grant is awarded to companies who take on apprentices in areas such as aer-ospace, energy and renewable techn- ologies. Small and medium-sized bus-inesses, who currently do not have any apprentices, will also be elig-ible for a £1,500 bonus if they take on a trainee.

The Northcote Group, which runs four pubs in the Ribble Valley, trains apprentices to be chefs, and to work front of house. It has also just launched a new gardening training scheme so that restaurants can grow their own ingredients.

Kelly Topping, human resources officer at North-cote Group, said: “If I had my way, I would flood the business with apprentices. We don’t just take anybody though. We take someone who can show a passion for what they do. For me, an apprenticeship far out-weighs the benefits of any university course.”

The group takes around four apprentices each year, who go on to have high-flying careers, some in Michelin-star restaurants.

Kelly said she would recommend taking on an apprentice to any business.

She said: “Ultimately, it gets you a brilliant work-force. We struggle to recruit Michelin-star chefs in the north, so when you grow them yourself, it’s fantastic.”

It is estimated every £1 spent on an apprenticeship returns an estimated £18 benefit to the economy.Ribble Valley MP Nigel Evans said: “Apprentic-eships allow people to earn and learn at the same time, while significantly increasing their potential future earnings. I would urge people of all ages to consider becoming an apprentice and seize the opportunities that this government has opened up.”