New flexible apprenticeships will soon be available to create opportunities for more people to earn while they learn in industries that boost the economy.

The government has said that up to 1,500 apprentices will be recruited on the new flexi-job apprenticeship scheme, which will allow people to complete short placements across sectors such as construction and creative during their apprenticeship, opening up a new paid training route to a career in these industries.

Apprenticeships are at least 12 months long, and apprentices need guaranteed employment and pay for that whole period. The new scheme will put an end to the difficulty companies face with short-term roles by using agencies that can act as employers and place apprentices on projects in different companies.

Almost £5 million has been awarded by the government to support employers, including the NHS and BBC, to offer the flexi-job apprenticeship scheme and support recruitment of apprentices.

A NHS North of England Care System Support’ spokesperson said: “We are delighted to be able to facilitate the flexi-job apprenticeship offer across the North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System. We are hugely excited by this scheme which complements our very ambitious NECS 100 programme (giving graduates and 6th form leavers their chance to find a career in the NHS). We look forward to applying that learning and experience to the Flexi-Job Apprenticeship offer and provide even more job and development opportunities to the communities we serve.”

The first apprentices are expected to start their flexi-job apprenticeship placements from late February.