The government has unveiled a major investment programme for skills and learning in the UK.

Over the next three years, more than £11bn a year will be invested in education, employment and training initiatives for young people and adults to help boost the country’s job prospects.

If the government is able to meet these figures, it will have met the challenge laid out in Lord Leitch’s review – published last December – 10 years early.

At the centre of the programme is an extension of apprenticeships, with more than £1bn in government funding being used to increase overall places from 250,000 to more than 400,000 by 2011. Funding will be specifically targeted at expanding apprenticeships for adults over 25.

John Denham, secretary of state for innovation, universities and skills, said: “For millions of people, skills and learning are the key to improving their lives – whether getting into and on at work, improving job prospects or simply putting more money in their pockets.

“This announcement amounts to a kick-start of the government’s drive to put Britain in the premier league for skills.”