"Apprenticeships will be given equal legal treatment as degrees, which will strengthen their reputation and ensure apprenticeships are recognised as a career path equal to higher education. The term ‘apprenticeship’ will be legally protected through the Enterprise Bill. This will give the Government the power to take action when the term is misused to promote low quality courses. The Enterprise Bill will be introduced to Parliament in the autumn.
"In addition, the Government's commitment to create 3 million apprenticeships by 2020 will be enshrined in law and public sector bodies will be set targets to help reach the required number of apprenticeships.
"There have been more than 2.2 million apprenticeship starts since May 2010."