Apprenticeships in the UK are being hotly pursued by young people eager to earn while they learn.
Online applications have raced to nearly half a million over three months, a 43% annual jump, according to the Apprenticeship Index.
While more positions have recently been added to the Apprenticeship Vacancies website, an increase of 24% to 37,410, the number is well below the interest being registered.
Most applications were in business, administration and law, with 165,410 applications for 15,550 positions, underscoring the notion that apprenticeships only cover manufacturing.
Indeed, more than 1,500 job roles are in the apprenticeship scheme now, according one expert working in the field, including engineering, IT and new areas such as social media.
The number of girls applying is quickly catching up with applications from boys. Girls were most recently behind 47% of all applications.
Last year, some 115,000 young people between the ages of 16 and 18 took up apprenticeships. The majority (86%) are said to stay in employment, with 67% staying with the same employer.
In addition, 22% of all former apprentices had received a promotion within 12 months of finishing, and of those in work, two thirds reported taking on more responsibility in their post.
