The decision was made to offer young people the opportunity to gain the skills and confidence they need to get a job, or progress into an apprenticeship in key sectors of the economy.

According to the government, the experience will enable more young people to fast-track their career, with many able to potentially complete their apprenticeship quicker as a result of prior learning covered in the traineeship programme.

This is part of the government’s Plan for Jobs, designed to protect, support and create jobs for all ages as the country recovers from the pandemic.

The traineeship programmes last between six weeks and 12 months, and focus on developing vital employability skills, alongside additional English, maths and digital skills, combined with a work placement lasting a minimum of 70 hours.

Recent figures show that 66% of trainees get a job, take up an apprenticeship or go on to further study within six months of completing their programme.

Apprenticeships and skills minister Gillian Keegan said: “Coronavirus has had a huge impact on lives and livelihoods. 

“As we build back better from the pandemic, we need to make sure people are able to take advantage of the opportunities apprenticeships provide, whether it’s the benefits to the individual —  the chance to earn while you learn, opening up new career paths that can transform lives — or the benefits to business giving access new talent from all backgrounds.

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“This National Apprenticeship Week, we should celebrate the apprentices up and down the country who have been stepping up throughout the pandemic to support the national effort. 

“I am calling on everyone to get involved in to raise awareness of all the fantastic opportunities that are out there and share their inspiring stories.”

Steve Radley, director of strategy and policy at the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), commented: “Getting more college students into construction jobs is a big challenge which the new construction traineeship should make a lot easier by providing a springboard for learners to start work or an apprenticeship. 

“With job opportunities currently growing faster in construction than in many other industries, this is the right time for the industry, government, colleges and CITB to work together on practical solutions to bridge the gap between further education and work. 

“Starting with bricklaying and moving on to the other occupations in a few months, we can make real progress this year.”

To encourage employers to take on more apprentices, the government is offering grants of up to £2,000 for each new apprentice they hire, available until March 2021.

According to the government, almost 19,000 applications have been submitted by employers. 

Employers can also now apply for a £1,000 cash boost to help them take on new trainees.

Thousands of virtual events will take place throughout National Apprenticeship Week, with leading employers giving people the chance to find out more about the benefits of apprenticeships.