A shortage of young people starting apprenticeships in trades like plumbing and building will affect the local economy according to St Albans MP Kerry Pollard.

Mr Pollard raised his concerns at a meeting of the Parliamentary Education and Skills Committee last week and urged the Government to tackle the problem.

He suggested that boys and girls of 15 could go into industry and commerce for a day or two each week, spending the rest of the time at school and thereby making the transition to work easier.

Mr Pollard said after the meeting: "This shortage of apprenticeships is beginning to affect our local economy. We may not be able to deliver the Government's house building target without more people going into modern apprenticeships.

"From an apprenticeship people can start their own small businesses, earning excellent money and helping our economy."

The national shortage of plumbers has seen their earnings rise to as much as £70,000 a year in London and £50,000 a year in the provinces.

Education and skills minister Stephen Twigg agreed that changes were needed in education for 14 to 19 year olds.

Mr Pollard's concerns come soon after the Institute of Directors (IOD) said the Government's policy of increasing the number of young people going to university was undermining vocational education like apprenticeships.

Policy director Ruth Lea said the Government needed to do more to give them a "parity of esteem" with academic education.

She said: "The current obsession with sending as many young people as possible into higher education undermines vocational training by making it appear second best.

"This helps no one, least of all the many students who study inappropriate higher education courses," she said.

Ms Lea added that too many people were leaving university with degrees that could do more harm to their job prospects.

The IOD has also warned that millions of small firms are struggling to grow because of critical skills gaps.

Ms Lea said firms should be consulted by education and training officials about the type of skilled workers they need.