The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), part of the Education and Skills Funding Agency, is a government agency that coordinates apprenticeships in England, enabling young people to enter the skilled trades.
At the beginning of February 2008 the Labour Government published a document called Strategy for the Future of Apprenticeships in England.
The NAS was to be part of the LSC, as outlined in the government's 2008 document on apprenticeships.
At the time of its formation, the Labour Government up to that point had been heavily focused on persuading 50% of under-18s to attend university.
In England, those who by age of 25 had been on an apprenticeship are likely to earn much more than those who do not, for similar qualifications (£100,000 over a career).