More than 13,600 training places have been pledged by firms across the country to mark National Apprenticeship Week.
The number of apprenticeships have ranged to just one in smaller companies, to hundreds in larger organisations including British Airways and the Co-operative Group.
As preparations were made for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Ladbrokes announced that it will recruit at least 200 apprentices in South Yorkshire, London and Scotland.
David Way, chief executive of the National Apprenticeship Service, said: "This has been one of the most successful National Apprenticeship Weeks ever in terms of the number of new apprenticeships announced by large and small employers.
"All of these apprenticeships will meet rigorous quality standards designed to ensure apprentices get an excellent opportunity."
Skills Minister Matthew Hancock said: "We want to make going to university or doing an apprenticeship the new norm for young people so I am delighted that during National Apprenticeship Week companies as diverse as Barclays, EE, Ladbrokes and IBM have recognised the huge benefits of apprentices and hired more young people.
"These companies are among 100,000 employers who offer apprenticeships across 200,000 locations."
