The number of young people starting apprenticeships in Esher and Walton dropped last year, provisional figures revealed.
The fall, from 380 people in 2011/12 to 360 in 2012/13, showed a move away from retail and engineering.
Runnymede and Weybridge saw overall take-up remain level at 500 in both years, according to National Apprenticeship Service statistics.
Esher and Walton MP Dominic Raab said: “Apprenticeships have rocketed by two-thirds since the election which shows what government can achieve when it collaborates properly with business.
“Apprenticeships are an absolutely vital link in the economic chain.”
Surrey County Council said the number of new apprentices aged 19 to 24 on its patch had increased by 8 per cent.
It is more than half-way to its target of filling 500 places before the end of March next year.
Top three most popular categories in 2012/13: Esher and Walton/Runnymede and Weybridge
- Business, administration and law: 120/170
- Retail and commercial enterprise: 80/110
- Health, public services, and care: 80/130
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