Commenting, EEF Education & Skills Adviser, Andrew Smith, said:
"The strong performance of UK manufacturing over the last few years combined with the move to higher value products and manufacturing techniques has raised the demand for high skilled labour. As a result, the demand for apprentices is increasing and it is becoming an increasingly important route of entry into skilled jobs in the sector.
"The focus on Apprenticeships as a route of entry into highly skilled and highly paid careers, rather than as a route for those who have not succeeded academically, will be welcomed by manufacturers."
In particular, EEF welcomed the recognition of the importance of better careers advice and guidance for young people on the Apprenticeship route, an issue on which it has long campaigned:
Andrew Smith added:
"Far too often the poor quality of careers advice available to young people means that they either lack information on, or are dissuaded from considering the route of, an Apprenticeship. We welcome the new duty for careers advice to include information about Apprenticeships and it is now essential that advisers are provided with resources and training about opportunities available across the economy, including engineering and manufacturing."
ENDS