John Denham, secretary for innovation, universities and skills, believes too many school leavers are choosing universities over apprenticeships, as Labour aims to increase the number of young people who go into recruitment from 40% to 50% by 2010.

 “There are certainly young people who currently go to university who would have been better off on an Advanced Apprenticeship. We have been in danger of making it sound as if university is the only real aspiration,” Denham, told the Financial Times, adding: “We’re absolutely committed to our 50% [for university admissions].”

Denham’s department is committed to 50% of young people taking degrees and hopes 20% will go into apprenticeships.