The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) has released figures that show that for the 106,510 apprenticeship vacancies advertised online between January 1st and November 30th 2012, there were 1.1 million applications.
The greatest number of apprenticeship vacancies was for business and administration, which received the highest proportion of applications.
With more than 13 applications for each vacancy, IT and childcare were the most oversubscribed apprenticeships.
Approximately 80% of apprenticeship vacancies are advertised online.
London saw the highest number of apprenticeship applications, followed by the West Midlands and Greater Manchester.
NAS Chief Executive David Way says: “The high number of applications generated in 2012 is further evidence of just how popular apprenticeships have become.
"The quality training on offer means apprenticeships are fast becoming a first choice career option for a wide range of people.
"In 2013 we hope to see further growth in the number of new vacancies registered online through our free recruitment service and an increase in the number of apprenticeships available in key industry sectors such as the digital and creative industries, engineering and IT.
"We would like to help even more employers use higher, advanced and intermediate apprenticeships to recruit new staff and are encouraging them to find out more about the funding available."
