Skills Secretary John Denham and Schools Secretary Ed Balls also called for further expansion of the scheme.
The new apprentices span sixteen government departments, including: the Department for Innovation Universities and Skills; the Department for Children, Schools and Families; the Department for Work and Pensions and the Ministry of Justice.
A great example
NUS President Wes Streeting commented: "We welcome the government's commitment to apprenticeships in the current economic climate. Introducing apprenticeships in the public sector sets a great example to the private and voluntary sectors and provides a welcome route for people to enter public service.
"We believe, however, that much more needs to be done to ensure that young people on apprenticeships receive the pay they deserve."