The students are also offered apprentice training in private and public sector.

After temporary existence of the secondary agricultural school, the commercial academy and apprentice training centres were established here too.

The factory which closed in 2002 employed over 4,000 employees at its peak and was a major engineering apprentice training employer.

Support activities included a well-equipped and staffed medical centre and apprentice training school and hostel.

About 250 people will enter each year for advanced apprentice training, with support from their employers.

By 14, he had achieved his dream and had become an apprentice jockey, leaving school the following year.

He did not enjoy school and quit at 16 to become an apprentice in a car parts company.

He left school at 15 to become an apprentice butcher.

He left at 14 to become an apprentice sign-writer and studied at night at the local technical college.

So how do you become an apprentice?

And encouragingly, 71 per cent of firms say they prefer to hire an apprentice with on-the-job experience to an entry-level graduate.

All bodies spending public cash must now hire apprentices.

All bodies which spend public money — including hospitals, schools, prisons and police forces — will be legally required to hire apprentices.

They hire apprentices who are older than the norm because they believe that these people will be more dedicated.

A study found over half of firms prefer hiring apprentices to graduates.