In the Budget statement the Chancellor, George Osborne, announced new funding packages to further encourage small businesses to take on more apprentices and to support degree level and postgraduate apprenticeships.

David Meller said: “I’m looking forward to working with the Minister, the Network and the National Apprenticeship Service to promote all aspects of apprenticeships, especially the developing areas of traineeships, higher levels and new sectors.”

Thousands of new jobs and apprenticeships will be created as part of the £130m Leicester and Leicestershire City Deal, the ‘Young Persons Pledge’ which aims to combat youth unemployment among 16-24-year-olds in the area.

Barclays legal director David Jackson said: “We’re looking across the bank and working out which departments have the right type and level of work to be able to support apprentices.”

Thinking about applying for an apprenticeship? Check out this video in which four apprentices across a range of sectors discuss why it was the right choice for them.

Do you know which celebrities started out as apprentices? Or how likely it is for apprentices to reach positions of management? Test your knowledge in this quiz!