While the Government has committed itself to the creation of more than one million new apprenticeships, a leading training college says it is unable to fill the apprentice places already on offer. 
The apprenticeship initiative, announced in the Queen’s Speech to Parliament, is based on the assumption there is a clamour for placements. Figures published in the Independent newspaper, point to an average 11 applications for every available apprentice place. 
However, the figures do not reflect the experience of Prospects College of Advanced Technology. Procat, which has campuses across Essex, has been acknowledged by a number of politicians and top industry figures as the UK’s leading college of advance technology. 
It takes apprentice students from across the county, the UK and even further afield. 
A Procat spokesman said: “Despite already having sourced many apprenticeship placements for young people for the coming academic year, there are more than 50 vacancies still available in the engineering and construction sectors. 
“Roles available include railway engineering apprenticeships with Eurostar, fabrication and welding, air conditioning and carpentry, to name but a few.” 
Since it became the UK’s first college of advanced technology, the opportunities available at Procat has begun to attract national and even international interest. 
The recent recruitment campaign for railway engineers Bombardier Transportation saw a potential student fly in from Germany for an interview and assessment. Nintey-six per cent of apprentices with the college go on to gain or sustain full-time employment 
The Procat spokesman said:  “With this growing demand, the college wants to ensure it encourages as many Essex people as  possible to apply for these roles.” 
Neil Bates, Procat’s chief executive, said: “The advanced apprenticeships offered here are a fantastic way to start a career in industry. 
“Procat is the leading college of advanced technology in the UK. I would urge every young person and every parent to consider the choice of a Procat apprenticeship.” 
Meanwhile, another leading Essex college is expanding the number of apprenticeships on offer. 
Debbie McArthur, apprenticeship hub manager at Colchester Institute, said: ‘We will continue to secure as many apprenticeship opportunities as we can.’ 
Details of training places can be found on the Prospects 
website, procat.ac.uk/current-apprenticeship-vacancies, or call 0800 389 3589