Plans for employers to design apprenticeships announced by the Prime Minister have been welcomed by business leaders.

More than 60 major employers across the country will design new training regimes to meet the needs of their industry.

The announcement by David Cameron today follows the Richard Review of Apprenticeships published last year by former Dragons Den star Doug Richard.

The news comes a month after Kent Business launched its Kick Start Kent campaign encouraging employers and employees to sign up to apprenticeships.

Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses in Kent and Medway Roger House said: “Apprenticeships can transform a young person’s life, providing access to bespoke training and often a highly-skilled job that they may only have dreamt about.

“Today’s announcement by the PM throws the spotlight on apprentice schemes and we welcome the government’s emphasis on developing a quality, focused and employer driven system.

“In order to get a system that works for both the apprentice and the business which employs them, the changes must be well thought through and allow the smallest firms to engage.

“The involvement and take-up of apprenticeships by small firms must be a critical success measure. If this happens then in the long-run it should improve the take-up of apprenticeships, which is already growing.”

The government aims for reformed apprenticeships to be available by the end of 2014.

David Cameron said: “If you want an apprenticeship, we’re going to make sure you do the best apprenticeship in the world.

“The reforms we’re announcing today will put employers in the driving seat and ensure that we deliver rigorous training that supports you and our economy for years to come.”

To find out more about apprenticeships email kickstartkent@thekmgroup.co.uk