The modern apprentice scheme is to be extended to support all apprentices, without age restrictions.

Tertiary Education Minister Steven Joyce says it's part of a comprehensive industry training policy review being conducted by the Education Ministry.  He is proposing the changes to the apprenticeship system with the aim of boosting apprentice numbers and increasing support for training. 

Higher expectations will also be put on Industry Training Organisations (ITOs).  Minister Steven Joyce says the changes should ensure ITOs are focused on the tasks employers value the most.

But a workers' union is dismayed that the strategy for developing skills will be put in the hands of industry.  Council of Trade Unions secretary, Peter Conway, said control is being taken away from training institutes.

Mr Conway also expressed concern about the 55 million dollars that Government took out of the system in their last term, and is urging that be reinvested into apprenticeships.  He says that is sorely needed in the vocational training system.

The CTU secretary says we're losing 50,000 people a year to Australia, many of whom have skills this country needs.

- Newstalk ZB