The Government estimates 20% of young people will be in apprenticeships over the next 10 years as high-street retailers, including Sainsburys, Tesco, Superdrug and Phones 4U, have released plans to expand massively the number of apprenticeships they offer, despite the contraction of the economy.

Sainsbury's has announced 465 apprenticeships, Tesco will increase the number it offers by 800, Superdrug have pledged 1,000 places and Phones 4U intends to train 1,000 apprentices by April 2009.

Lorna Bryson, head of UK resourcing at Tesco, said: "Apprenticeships allow us to provide great training and development to our staff, helping them to recognise their long-term career goals; half of our 2006/07 apprentices have progressed to become managers or team leaders, Tesco benefits too by having hard-working, dedicated and talented individuals who are confident and satisfied in their roles.

Superdrug's HRD, Jo Mackie, added: "The apprenticeship programmes we have in place have a direct commercial impact in our stores."

This development comes as the Government announced at least 10,000 apprenticeships are to be created in the public and private sectors, including 7,000 in construction.

Skills secretary John Denham said: "This shows we are well on the way to making apprenticeships a mainstream option for young people who want to get on. We anticipate one in five of all young people will be undertaking an apprenticeship by the end of the next decade."