Construction apprenticeships are up 12% in the past year across Great Britain, it has been revealed.

Data released by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) shows that 22,496 young people started apprenticeships in 2014/15, up from 19,973 in 2013/14.

Three years ago, 17,500 young people began apprenticeships as firms felt the effects of the recession.

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However, the new figures show an increasing trend of steady growth.

In addition, separate research shows employers find apprentices perform well in the workplace, with 78% of 1,500 employers rating their apprentices work as 'good or very good'.

Gillian Econopouly, Head of Policy and Research at CITB, said the growth in construction apprenticeships demonstrates the industry's commitment to "train the next generation".

"But with CITB research predicting 230,000 new construction jobs by 2020, we need even more young people to start apprenticeships, and to help more firms take them on," she said.

(LM/CD)