Apprenticeships are becoming more popular with both employers and young people, according to new research from the National Apprenticeship Service. In terms of vacancies, the number advertised on the government’s specialist site between August and October 2013 rose by 24% to 37,410 positions – compared to the 30,230 posts recorded for the same period in 2012.

In terms of public appetite, meanwhile, the Business, Administration and Law sector was subject to the greatest amount of candidates, receiving 165,410 applications for just 15,550 places. The highest ratio of applications to vacancies was Education and Training, attracting an average 27 applications per place, while the lowest ratio of 10 applications per place was found in Retail and Commercial Enterprise and Science and Mathematics.

Interestingly, the level of female interest increased substantially, with 216,100 applications made by women in the three-month period: a 55% increase year-on-year. This has also served to narrow the male gender bias in apprenticeships, with 47% of all 2013 applications made by women, compared to 43% the previous year.

Skills and enterprise minister Matthew Hancock said: “These figures show that Apprenticeships are growing in appeal to young people, and more young women are seeking out this unique opportunity to earn while they learn and gain a recognised qualification while notching up vital work experience.”

Ministers are likely to gain support from companies of all sizes in their efforts to stimulate apprenticeships. In November, an Edge Foundation and City & Guilds survey of 1,000 small, medium and large firms found that almost three quarters (72%) of employers held vocational qualifications as essential for preparing young people for work. Echoing widespread concerns from recruiters that young workers lack the appropriate skills for entering the workplace, more then half (53%) said they valued vocational qualifications above academic grades. Furthermore, 60% of UK employers stated that they wanted the government to do more to support skills education.

A separate Edge Foundation study on apprenticeships emerged this week, revealing that many young people are discouraged by their parents into following vocational studies, in favour of attending university. Of 1,000 vocational students questioned for the study by OnePoll, just one quarter said their parents considered the practical study option worthwhile, while one fifth of respondents were told they were “too clever” for vocational education. That demonstrates a lingering prejudice towards vocational paths from those who are likely to be most influential to students’ career decisions – with around a third of respondents told they would be “more successful” if they took an academic route.

Hancock added: “With new independent research revealing that one in five employers currently have former apprentices working in senior, board-level positions, it’s also very encouraging to see vacancies increasing and new employers coming onboard. But with each online position attracting an average of 12 applications, demand continues to outstrip supply, and I would urge more employers to consider how they can take advantage of this available pool of talent and grow their business through apprenticeships.”