AN event took place to highlight how student apprenticeships can benefit small-medium employers.

The Brathay Trust, in collaboration with the National Apprenticeship Service, aims to show how apprentices could help a business grow.

It took place on Tuesday, March 3, and consisted of a lively discussion, debate and debunking the myths around apprenticeships.

Claire Blott, Interim Deputy Director for the National Apprenticeship Service in the North West, said: “Apprenticeships and traineeships are enabling thousands of young people to develop both the hard and soft skills they need for a successful career.

“They help businesses grow their own talent by developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce. It is therefore, no wonder that 20% of UK SMEs plan to take on one or more new apprentices in the next twelve months.

“This event is a fantastic opportunity for SMEs who want to find out how apprenticeships can deliver for them by speaking first hand to like-minded employers.”