WILTSHIRE Council is offering plenty of support for students who wish to consider apprenticeships following GCSE results day.

It is hosting an information event at County Hall, Trowbridge, from 12.30-1pm on August, 23.

It will feature a presentation with the chance to ask questions and is open to all parents and children from Year 8 upwards.

The presentation will include information on pay, the range of careers apprenticeships can lead to, the difference between Higher and Degree apprenticeships, and who can do an apprenticeship.

For people who can’t make the presentation, there will also be a drop-in session in the Atrium at County Hall where advisers can answer questions about apprenticeships from 11.30am-1.30pm on August, 23.

Laura Mayes, Wiltshire Council cabinet member for education, said: “More and more Wiltshire employers are offering apprentices a chance to study for A Level-standard qualifications while also working and earning a wage.

“Apprenticeships are changing beyond recognition, opening career pathways in industries not normally associated with apprenticeships.

“They can be a terrific option for the right candidates.”

In South West Wiltshire, the number of Advanced Apprenticeship starts - equivalent to A Levels - has increased by more than 60% in the last three years.

In 2016/17 there were more than 470 Level 3 apprenticeship starts in South West Wiltshire, compared to 290 in 2013/14.

For more information about apprenticeships see the Parents’ Guide to Apprenticeships on the Work Wiltshire website https://workwiltshire.co.uk/parents/