New statistics published by SkillsActive have reported a 600 per cent increase in the number of apprentices working in the sport and active leisure industries over the last six year.

SkillsActive said that the figures - released to coincide with National Apprenticeships Week (6-12 February) - show that more employers now realise the value of such programmes.

In the year to last September, SkillsActive issued 9,342 Apprenticeship certificates, compared to the 1,271 certificates issued in the 12 months ending September 2006.

SkillsActive interim chief executive officer Suki Kalirai said apprenticeship programmes are not limited to larger employers, but available to small- and medium-sized firms with the help of the Group Training Association.

Kalirai said: "It enables employers running small to medium enterprises to group together and access funded training that would otherwise be out of their reach.

"This training is delivered through SkillsActive's network of approved National Skills Academy training providers."

Details: www.skillsactive.com