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The government has reached its target of starting two million apprenticeships during this Parliament.

Business secretary Vince Cable met the two millionth apprentice - Paige McConville, aged 16, in Oxford - who has begun an advanced apprenticeship in engineering manufacture at high-tech engineering firm FMB Oxford.

Cable said: 鈥淭his isn鈥檛 just about numbers. From space engineering, to TV production, to legal services, apprenticeships are the ticket to a great job and a route employers trust to access the skills they need.鈥�

Cable also announced 22 new employer-designed apprenticeship courses, including nine in construction (see below).

Several construction firms have signed up as 鈥榯railblazers鈥� to provide the courses, including contractor Costain.

Jayne Sloane, group training manager for contractor Costain, said: 鈥淭he trailblazer apprenticeships give us the opportunity to ensure apprenticeships are fit for purpose and provide our industry with the skills needed for the future.鈥�