The government hopes to create 100,000 extra apprenticeships. We'd like to hear from people with experience of the issue
It is National Apprenticeship Week and Vince Cable has announced that the government is to create an extra 100,000 apprenticeships, and is looking to increase the vocational training budget by £222m a year, in a bid to facilitate employability among young adults.
As part of our people's panel series, we would like four commenters to go "above the line" to tell us about their first-hand experience of apprenticeships.
If you took part in an apprenticeship, what led to your decision? Did you think it would be more useful than following an academic path? Did the apprenticeship enable you to gain a senior position in your chosen career? Are you currently enrolled in one, and if so, what are your hopes for the future? Do you think government support for vocational training will help youth employment prospects and address the skills shortage in some industry sectors?
If you would like to participate, please email Jessica Reed (jessica.reed@guardian.co.uk) with a few paragraphs about your thoughts, and add your username and phone number if possible.
Please note that we may not be able to respond to all submissions.