The Learning and Skills Council North Yorkshire has announced that young people from Craven, up to the age of 24, will have 3,500 jobs available to them in the next year. All the jobs have formal training to achieve nationally recognised qualifications.

Young people who have got their GCSE or A-level results but are not sure what to do next are being urged to call the Learning Helpline to find out more about these jobs on 0800 515547.

The Modern Apprenticeship jobs are available with large and small employers, in careers ranging from child-care to photography, retail management to IT, business administration to pet-care and sport to engineering.

Kevin Marrow, from the Learning and Skills Council, said: "Starting work can be quite daunting for 16-year-olds. But this way they are totally supported by a training professional who talks to the employer on their behalf.

They research the right qualification, set up the appropriate training and check that all is going well."

Laura Moon is a Modern Apprentice who works at the Craven Herald and Pioneer newspaper, in Skipton.

She was doing her A-levels but wasn't enjoying it so she went to Keighley and District Training Association.

"They suggested a Modern Apprenticeship and it sounded right for me," she said. "The idea of a job with training appealed to me because I'd be getting qualifications as well as work experience and pay.

"I really enjoy my job. I've been here nearly 18 months and I've been promoted twice. I'd recommend Modern Apprenticeships to anyone. I've made so many new friends and it's a really good team here."

Linda Ralph, group sales trainer for Newsquest (Bradford) Ltd, of which the Keighley News is a part, said: "Laura, in particular, has been a big success story. She is very able and focused."

Linda believes Modern Apprenticeships are the way forward for businesses.

"They are great for young people but they're also so easy for us," she said. "Once you've decided, as a business, to make a commitment to these youngsters, the rest is straightforward.

There is no paperwork and the training organisation is never intrusive. We all work together because we know we are investing in the future of our company."

Alison Rennard, from Keighley and District Training Association Ltd, keeps in regular contact with Laura and her employer. She said: "Laura comes to us once a week and uses the computers here to study and write up the evidence she has collected during the week for her portfolio.

"We also visit her at work at least every eight weeks to review her training and observe her performance in the criteria.

"Laura is doing very well at the Craven Herald and they now have a skilled and valuable member of their team."

Modern Apprenticeships are available at all levels up to the age of 24, whether the person is already working, has just left school or college or is looking for a job.

For more information call the Learning Helpline on 0800 515547.