Thousands more teenagers are opting to do an apprenticeship this year, favouring this route into work over A-levels, according to new analysis of figures provided by local authorities in England.

In just one year, the number of school leavers embarking on an apprenticeship shot up by a remarkable 15 per cent, suggesting that there is a real appetite for youngsters to pursue a career outside of the traditional education system.

The Department for Education said that there is a real appetite among 16 to 17-year-olds to pursue vocational training.

Apprenticeships carry a lot of authority because they provide people with real jobs and training that help to develop the kind of focused skills and experience that employers want.

According to the Department for Education, part of the success story of modern-day apprenticeships can be attributed to the reforms that have been implemented by the current government.

They key differentiator from previous incarnations is that they now "offer a respected alternative to academic study", which has been helped along by greater employer participation in the design of programmes.

More than 400 businesses, including big names like PwC, Microsoft, John Lewis, British Airways and BMW have been involved in overhauling apprenticeships so that they are more effective, purposeful and better received.

The National Audit Office has estimated that for every pound the government invests in apprenticeships, the nation's economy get back £18, indicating a real return on investment.

Needless to say the government is committed to boosting the number of people on apprenticeships, because not only is it good for the economy, it provides youngsters with a suitable "opportunity to fulfil their potential".

Part of its strategy to ensure that all school leavers are provided with appropriate support and direction, local authorities have been told to be more attentive and thorough in tracking young people participation in education, employment and training.

This is already proving to be successful, the Department for Education noted, with, for example, "a drop of more than 9,000 16- and 17-year-olds whose activity is not known to local authorities since the previous year".

Skills and enterprise minister Matthew Hancock said that there is no "better engine of social mobility and success than a place in education or training" and lauded the numbers of young people signing onto apprenticeships.

"This confirms our reforms to give young people a clear path to work or further education are working," he continued. "Further data published last month shows the lowest level of 16- to 18-year-olds NEET since records began - showing our long term economic plan is delivering for young people."

There are four key measures being deployed by the government to help young people "get the best possible start in life".

This includes the introduction of a rigorous new curriculum to boost standards in education from the get go; and supporting youngsters who failed to get a C in GCSEEnglish or maths – they must continue studying these subjects if they remain in further education.

Additionally, moving "low-quality vocational qualifications" from league tables and putting in their pace proven courses, as well as introducing a new programme oftraineeships for 16 to 23-year-olds, will ensure that generation after generation of youngsters are able to thrive in adult life.

Commenting on the results of an ICM Research last month, which found that employers in England are keen to do more to help young people into work, Mr Hancock said that traineeships are a perfect way in which more organisations can get involved in upskilling the nation's youngsters.

"A highly skilled workforce is crucial for the long-term growth of the economy and ensuring young people are trained for the jobs of the future is a priority," he explained.

"Traineeships were developed to help more young people into work by providing them with the skills and experience employers want and need. For businesses keen to do more to help young people into work, offering a traineeship is a great start."