UK union, Unite, is calling on the UK government and employers to agree a national training levy to ensure schemes are set up and more UK apprentices are recruited. The UK's largest trade union says a fall in the number of apprenticeship places will create massive skills shortages in key industries.

The union wants employers to be obliged to provide a minimum number of apprenticeship places. Currently, only one in 10 UK businesses provide apprenticeships or quality workplace training.

The union also wants an increase in the minimum weekly wage for apprentices from £80 to £110 and asked for government help for small employers who are taking on an apprentice.

A £110 wage for a 35-hour week would bring apprenticeships broadly in line with the minimum wage youth rate (£3.40 an hour). According to UK government figures only 63 per cent of 180,000 apprentices stay on to complete their apprenticeship.