Speaking yesterday at the annual EEF National Manufacturing Conference in London, Umunna described apprenticeships as being at "the heart of the economic debate".
Responding to questions put to him and shadow chancellor Ed Balls about the UK's skill shortages, Umunna blamed cultural issues as to why apprenticeship schemes aren't "afforded a parity of esteem" with academic qualifications. He said apprenticeships were "just as important to help the economy grow."
Umunna said: "There's a lot of talk about us being in a global race but the question is how do you make the British Lion roar in that race - having a proper skills eco-system is fundamental to that," he said.
"There are cultural issues though. If I was to ask everyone in this room who has a teenager to raise their hand over whether they'd like to go to university or do an apprenticeship, I think we'd know what the answer would be."
Umunna continued: "We have to change the way we think about what our young people are going on to do. If your child is going on to do an apprenticeship, it's as important and as noble as them going on to them going to university.
"It's a disgrace in this country frankly that two-thirds of large employers do not provide apprenticeships, it's not acceptable."
Umunna added: "This is why [Labour] has said give us a greater control over the skills budget and if we are elected we will introduce a new technical baccalaureate of gold standard in technical and engineering and vocational qualifications."
Also speaking at the event was chief executive for the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES), Michael Davis who told HR magazine that when tackling the skills debate "employers must take greater ownership of the agenda".
Davis said: "Under the last Government we did get ourselves into the skills narrative where Government would provide and employers would demand and it would magically sort itself out. The reality is life is more messy than that and business is much more messy than that.
He added: "Employers aren't looking for that 'oven-ready' employee that drops into the production line - they've never existed.
"That's what so positive about apprenticeships as they are a genuine example of employers, colleges and the individual working together."
In November HR magazine held a Live Web TV debate on the skills gap in the UK. This is still available to view for free. Register and watch now
