DOUBLING the number of apprentices in the UK is vital for the future of the economy according to union leaders.

Phil Davies GMB National Secretary for engineering construction said there was an urgent need to get more young unemployed workers into apprenticeships in energy, chemical, oil and gas sectors.

Mr Davies was reacting to the announcement from the government's Department for Business Innovation and Skill of a £50 million a year fund to help businesses develop the skills they need to drive growth.

The Growth Investment Fund (GIF) is designed to help employer groups overcome barriers to growth within their sectors and industries.

Business secretary Vince Cable said: "This government understands that to rebalance and grow our economy, we need to tackle the skills shortages that hold companies back."

Mr Davies said the GIF fund should be used to get young unemployed people into apprenticeships.

He said: "With the amount of engineering construction work in the pipeline for new power stations and other installations there is an urgent need for the employers and the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board to apply for some of this money to increase the number of engineering apprentices being trained."

Kaymac Marine & Civil Engineering, which is based in Swansea, takes on a new apprentice every two years.