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Many people have very old-fashioned views on apprenticeships, assuming they are only for practical and manual roles such as labourers or mechanics. However, that is not the case, as there are high quality apprenticeships available in all sorts of areas - we just need to make young people aware of them.

Young people can be apprehensive about choosing apprenticeships for many reasons. One major reason being the view that to be successful you have to go to university, regardless of how true this statement is. There is also the impression that apprentices are underpaid which could put youngsters off, however there are many apprenticeships paying good competitive salaries, with the possibility of a further increase and a permanent position if you impress.

Surprisingly, almost 50% of apprentices in Greater Manchester have been taken by people in their 30’s, 40’s and 50’s, and in the three years to 2013 there was a 26% drop in 16-18 year olds starting apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships are a great way to commence a career; you get to understand working life and gain on the job experience, putting you in a great position for future job opportunities. James Farr, the director of skills and employment at