Financial services employers have been urged to come forward and stake their claim for new apprenticeship funding announced by the government.

In the Comprehensive Spending Review last week, The Chancellor promised to double the number of apprenticeships for the over-19s to boost skills and help generate economic growth. An additional £250 million will be invested creating 75,000 more apprenticeships for adults in the workplace a year by 2014/2015.

Sylvia Perrins, CEO, of the National Skills Academy for Financial Services, said that funding was dependent on companies coming forward to commit to apprenticeship training.

She said: “It’s very pleasing to see the Government recognising the important benefits of apprenticeships for adults who are already in the workplace. However