AN apprenticeship is a real job with training so young people can earn while they learn.

They also have the chance to pick up nationally recognised qualifications.

Other advantages include progression opportunities, paid holiday and working at an individual pace with a mentor.

Debbie McArthur, apprenticeship manager at the college, said: “I see apprenticeships as the vocational route to achieving your aims and goals.

“I’m passionate about them because I don’t think everybody wants to study in the classroom and follow the traditional route.

“People complain about youth today and the way they are, but I think it is up to employers to engage them and mould them.”

The National Apprentice Service offers grants to companies who would otherwise be unable to fund an apprentice.

A company can receive up to ten grants, each one worth £1,500.

There are three types of apprentices depending on the skills and qualifications the learner already has.

They are intermediate (level two), equivalent to five GCSEs, advanced (level 3), which is equivalent to two A-Levels and higher (level 4 or above), which will work towards a degree.

Apprenticeships can be for a new employee or an existing one looking to pursue a new avenue within the company.

By law, an apprentice must be paid £2.69 an hour if they are under 19.

However, employers are encouraged to raise this once the learner has reached a certain point in their training.

In some circumstances, older apprentices should be paid national minimum wage.

The learner must be employed for at least 30 hours a week.

Some qualifications require day release at college whereas others can be done completely in the workplace.

The majority of funding available to companies is for 16 to 24-year-olds but a limited pot it sometimes offered to older people.

If a company is looking to take on someone over 19, they will have to pay a contribution upwards of £150.

To make a pledge, click here.

For more information about funding, including a full list of the criteria, click here.