THE MP for Central Devon has welcomed statistics released by the National Apprenticeship Service that show more young people are continuing to get involved with apprenticeships both locally and across the country.

Provisional statistics for 2012/13 show 489,100 people began appren-ticeships in England this year, with 11,730 of these being in Devon.

Welcoming the figures, Central Devon MP Mel Stride said: 'In the last five years of the previous government an average of 220,000 apprentices were taken on each year.

'Under this government the figure has more than doubled to nearly half a million. Increasing opportunities, especially for young people, to develop skills

and gain valuable qualifications and experience really matters and I wish the 640 people in my constituency who began an apprenticeship this year every success.'

In the South West, 50,800 people began apprenticeships this year — up from 27,790 five years ago.

More than 11,700 of these were in Devon, up from 6,510 five years ago.