Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce today announced a rallying call to employers to point the start of National Apprentice Week. The employees attended a seminar at the Cranford Avenue campus to hammer home the value of apprenticeships.

The Chamber has urged bosses to grab the benefits apprentices can bring to their companies as a report by the Chartered Management Institute suggested an 84 per cent of 500 business leaders' surveyed felt apprentices improved their reputation as an employer.

In addition, Chris Fletcher, deputy chief executive at Greater Manchester Chamber, also made an attempt to encourage youth to ponder over getting vocational qualifications as demand for university places increases, student debt spirals and the youth jobs market becomes increasingly competitive.

"An apprenticeship allows you to earn while you learn. At the end of the apprenticeship you are equipped for a career in a skilled job without any of the debt that comes with going to university," he added.

The main emphasis is to debunk some of the myths about apprenticeships dying out or being a glorified successor of the much suppressed youth training scheme (YTS) - and claim that they are alive and kicking.

Business editor Kevin Feddy said: "We would urge businesses of all sizes from the public and private sectors to consider taking on apprentices for the first time or to expand the number of apprentices in their workforce.