This week has seen hundreds of employers, celebrities and members of the public donning badges 'I Love Apprenticeships' badges to show their support for 'Apprenticeship Week'.

Approximately 200,000 apprentices currently start each year, with more than 110,000 individuals completing Apprenticeships in 2007.  At the moment more than 130,000 businesses in England offer Apprenticeships. This week of events was organised to highlight the crucial role of apprentices in the UK economy.  

On Wednesday a handful of prominent celebrities, MPs and businesspeople gave lucky apprentices the chance to follow in their footsteps for a day, to get a taste of life in their chosen profession.
 
Amongst the influential figures who took part were former 'dragon' Richard Farleigh, entrepreneur Levi Roots, CEO of Sainsbury's, Justin King and Tesco's David Potts. John Denham, Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills, and Schools Secretary Ed Balls also participated, giving young apprentices the chance to experience life in politics.
 
Justin King praised apprenticeships for providing people of all ages with a fresh start and a chance to gain recognized qualifications. He said, "At Sainsbury's we wholeheartedly support apprentice programmes, and by April over 260 apprentices will have gone from total beginners to fully trained bakers, fishmongers and meat specialists in our stores. Their knowledge and skills will be used to serve customers on Sainsbury's meat and fish counters, as well as its in-store bakeries."

In recognition of this week of activity, the head of the National Skills Academy Process Industries is calling for more employers to invest in students.

Phil Jones, chief executive of the Skills Academy, said that businesses should continue to train staff in the economic downturn to ensure employees have the skills to deliver success. He said, "Training will help them through the current storm whilst also readying them for when the storm passes.
 
"Hopefully these events will encourage thousands more young people to consider the good careers available in the chemicals, polymer and pharmaceutical industries, as well as helping employers realise the benefits of sponsoring an apprentice.

"With an estimated 24,000 apprentices required over the next decade, long term skills development through apprenticeships, designed to suit the needs of the process industries, is vital to ensure their sustainable future. Historically you complete your apprenticeship and that's it. We want people to see long-term learning potential in this industry."

Apprenticeship Week marks the start of a year-long campaign that aims to demonstrate the importance of Apprenticeships. The campaign includes a new advert on national TV featuring Sir Alan Sugar, and the sixth National Apprenticeships Awards, which will take place on 16th July.