Chase on for apprentice places

The upturn in the economy has seen the number of Oldham apprentice vacancies more than double in the past year.

The quarterly apprenticeship index - an official register of vacancies - shows that between August and October 2013, 170 vacancies were advertised on the website compared with only 70 the previous year.

But demand still far outstrips availabiity. Before the 2013/2014 school and college year began 2,490 online applications were submitted by youngsters.

The Government is urging local employers to create more apprenticeship positions.