Employers announcing the new apprenticeships include technology companies 3M, Cisco and XMA, BMW's UK dealers, Bentley Motors, precision measurement specialist Renishaw and hair and beauty supplier Ellisons.
Starbucks has also announced that it will be using WorldSkills London 2011 as a platform to recruit 1,000 new permanent salaried trainees as it prepares for the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralymic Games.
Hundreds more employers are also attending WorldSkills to recruit people into real job vacancies. In addition, colleges and training providers from across the UK including learndirect and City & Guilds, will provide access to a wide range of other learning places, courses and Apprenticeships.
The announcements come as analysis conducted by WorldSkills London 2011 reveals beauticians, fitness instructors and nursery nurses were the fastest growing vocationally skilled jobs of the last decade, rising in number by 107%, 48% and 41% respectively. But while this trend is expected to continue, the low carbon economy, social changes and evolving technologies will see the creation of a number of newer skills and 'green collar' careers which will shape our future work places.
Aidan Jones, chief executive of WorldSkills London 2011, said: "The analysis clearly shows the opportunities available for those with vocational skills and how skills will become increasingly important in the future. Skills shape our world and as such it is vital young people and parents are aware of how the working world is evolving.
"There are likely to be some stark advances in the skills in demand and the industries in which people work in the future. For example, job titles such as Solar PV fitter, Offshore Wind Technician and Wind Turbine Technician could become mainstream. We could even see roles like old age wellness manager or robot mechanic growing significantly in number as skilled occupations of the future.
The hundreds of employers, colleges and exhibitors at WorldSkills London 2011 who are pledging to provide real Apprenticeships, real jobs and real courses for the next generation evidence how skills are in greater demand than ever before."
Commenting on the analysis, Lesley Giles, UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) said: "Emerging technology, changing consumer trends and the low carbon agenda are all likely to influence the demand for future skills. These forces have acted on the labour market over the last decade, as we can see with the changes evidenced here. The Commission expects that such change will continue with some very specific effects: for example, demand for childcare is expected to grow (3) and, with an estimated 6.3 million people aged 75 or over by 2021 (4), so too will the need for skilled care professionals - in particular those with the skills to meet the increasingly complex social care needs of the UK.
"Engineering is another area that is expected to increase as the UK looks to develop high level skills in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects. This will be critical as we move towards the future and also in replacing workers set for retirement."
Leonie Williams, head of personnel manufacturing and skills development at Bentley will join the Business in the Community Big Conversation at WorldSkills London 2011 today, and said: "Skills development, good quality Apprenticeships and training programmes represent the bedrock on which our future is built. They allow young people to flourish and help make companies such as Bentley more globally competitive and, in the case of manufacturing, to help rebalance the UK economy."
Zoe Dickson, HR Director of 3M, added: "As an innovation company 3M will always need talented individuals to ensure we can continue to grow and prosper into the future. The very best companies look for the very best people. However, being technically skilled is not enough in itself - equally important are those 'soft' skills such as the ability to interact with others and communicate effectively."
