FORMER Apprentice star Claire Young met apprentices of a different kind at a graduation ceremony last night.

The entrepreneur, dubbed The Rottweiler by Lord Sugar, came second in the fourth series of the programme, and has since set up a motivational speaking business.

Yesterday, she addressed more than 100 young people who gathered together at Bradford University's Great Hall to celebrate their achievements, accompanied by proud parents and employers.

Before the ceremony, she told the Telegraph & Argus: "It is really important in Bradford that people are celebrating success. Why shouldn't we recognise apprenticeships with a big celebration, like you would with a degree.

"Maybe other areas in the country might follow Bradford's lead.

"Apprenticeships are absolutely critical to business success and tackling youth unemployment."

She added: "I was really delighted to be asked to host this event - there are high numbers here and it's a great venue."

The formal ceremony aimed to demonstrate that apprenticeships are just as valid as the university route to success, with the highest levels equivalent to a bachelor's degree or even a master's degree.

It was the biggest apprenticeship graduation ceremony ever held in Bradford, coming on the heels of a successful pilot ceremony last year.

Apprentice plumbers, dental nurses and teaching assistants were among those picking up certificates.

The event was organised by training network West Yorkshire Learning Providers, and was funded by the Bradford Apprenticeship Hub.

Ashfaq Gulab, partnership manager for West Yorkshire Learning Providers and chairman of the Bradford Apprenticeship Hub, said: "We are delighted to be hosting this event, which will celebrate the enormous success and achievement of all our apprentices in Bradford.

"Every single person who has completed an apprenticeship can be very proud of what they have achieved.

"It is important that their success is rewarded in this way to encourage others to aspire to greater things, and that is what this ceremony will do.

"This event will also help to raise the profile of apprenticeships and how undertaking an apprenticeship can lead to a successful future."

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, Bradford Council's portfolio holder for skills, said: "I want to congratulate every apprentice who has graduated.

"It's fantastic to see apprenticeships thriving across the district.

"This is because nearly every employer that takes on an apprentice reports benefits to their business.

"And after finishing, most apprentices will stay in employment with many staying with the same employer.

"They have an important role to play in the district's economic development and our plans to Get Bradford Working."