Business secretary Vince Cable has unveiled government plans to invest more than £600m in providing additional adult apprenticeship opportunities in 2011-12.

Speaking at the Association of Colleges Conference in Birmingham, Cable confirmed that 200,000 adults will be able to start an apprenticeship by 2014-15. The proposals represent an additional 75,000 opportunities compared with plans outlined by the former Labour-led administration.

Apprenticeship packages will be revamped to ensure that Level Three is the 'level to achieve', and fully-funded training will be provided for adults aged 19-24. Cable said: "With relative industrial decline following the Second World War, and a greater emphasis on academic qualifications, the number of apprenticeships fell markedly. Recent governments have attempted to stop the rot, and today there are a wide range of apprenticeships in more than 190 sectors.

"But this government still doesn't think there are enough and even in a climate of cuts has committed additional resources to fund a further 50,000 adult apprenticeships this year above the level inherited by the previous government, rising to 75,000 by the year 2014-15." Image: Department for Business, Innovation and Skills