With the 2015 general election just months away, functional skills specialists bksb look at what the major parties are saying about apprenticeship programmes.

The government has welcomed provisional figures for the first 3 months of this academic year which show there were more than 573,000 people participating in apprenticeships – including more than 353,000 16 to 24 year-olds.

The money from the Coastal Communities Fund will support projects that will create nearly 3,000 jobs and almost 1,500 apprenticeships and training places.

The website, GetMyFirstJob, advises young people on apprenticeships and guides them through the process, ensuring they choose an apprenticeship that suits their skill set and needs.

Ben Rowland explores the pros and cons of these two career paths, offering some valuable advice for anyone thinking about how best to develop their own skills, advising others on their career paths or looking to find the best talent for their organisations.

Check out this video in which a group of apprentices working at Craven District Council in Skipton talk about their everyday tasks and responsibilities.