A study conducted by non-profit sector consultants Baker Tilly, and the Education & Employers Taskforce, investigated the return of investment from the CAs programme, which was introduced in 2008 and consists of vocational as well as theory-based qualifications at Level 2 or 3, and presented evidence that showed apprentices will have a significant impact on the UK economy.

The latest cohort of 210 apprentices is forecast to deliver a net gain of £2.4m to the UK economy over the coming decade, with expected net gains of some £16.4m for the next five cohorts of learners.

Surveys, conducted as part of the report, also showed that 79% of employers believe that CAs made a significant contribution to their business.

Pauline Tambling, joint chief executive of Creative & Cultural Skills, the skills council responsible for the delivery of CAs, said: "Employers are now seeing the real economic benefits of apprenticeships. Young people who have completed apprenticeships are ahead of the game when it comes to developing a wider skill set, formal workplace training and an understanding of business."

Tambling added: "With youth unemployment and tuition fees both at a high, the future development of new apprenticeship frameworks, including at Levels 4 and above, is likely to play a significant role in the success of the creative and cultural industries in the UK."

Apostolos Kostoulas