NINETEEN-year-old Calum Gaskell is already proving to be a high flier working on huge marketing projects including Bolton's acclaimed Food and Drink Festival, and the annual jobs and skills fair.

He is working on projects many graduates fresh out of university could only dream of being part of.

For Calum, who lives in Deane, decided to embark on an apprenticeship rather than going to university after completing his studies at Bolton Sixth Form College.

The former Ladybridge High School pupil said: "I was thinking about going to university to study, but I also looked into apprenticeships.

"The attraction for me was you can earn while you learn. I looked on the national apprenticeship website and saw this, it was what I would have studied at university."

The teenager applied for the apprenticeship position with Bolton Council, passed the interview and now works while he learns.

He has to complete coursework while developing the practical skills needed for his chosen careers.

Calum said: "I would never have got experience working on projects like this if I had gone to university.

"I am getting the work experience and the education �— and earning at the same time."

There is a current drive to raise awareness of the many opportunities available in apprenticeships �— which today cover many different careers as well as the traditional skilled trades.

Apprenticeships form part of Bolton's skills strategy and the local authority runs a successful apprentice scheme, having recruited 26 apprentices since March 2014 including in accountancy, digital media, social care, engineering, catering, IT and customers services.

The number of people starting apprenticeships has shown a year-on-year increase in 2008/09.

The latest data shows that Bolton has the third highest number in Greater Manchester, behind Manchester and Wigan, with a total of 3,250 starting in 2012/13, a 114 per cent increase on 2008/09.

The numbers of 19 to 24-year-old apprenticeship starts have also seen a significant increase going up 260 to 1,570 in the same period and for those 25 and over increased from 260 to 1,570.

And, like Calum, the numbers embarking on higher and advanced apprenticeships has increased.

The local authority says that apprenticeships delivered by Team Bolton Partnership seek to increase awareness of the scheme as another option in schools, parents, young people and employers.

It says good quality apprenticeships are a key route into well-paid jobs and are the "right choice for some ambitious young people" rather than going to university.

And the council want more companies to offer apprenticeships.

Cllr Kate Lewis, cabinet member for housing and social inclusion, said: "We want to promote apprenticeships and show that it is a very real and alternative option to full time study.

"It gives them then the chance to develop skills, and they are paid.

"The mayor's campaign has raised the profile of apprenticeship and we want to carry on developing and create more opportunities through the apprenticeship scheme."

Marie Gilluley, chair of the Employment and Skills Board, said: “This is a very positive indication of the impact of the Skills Strategy. The increase in apprenticeship numbers and the growth of apprenticeships in key sectors give much needed support to Bolton’s businesses and can help boost Bolton’s economy for the benefit of local people."

Carole Carson, chairman of Bolton, Bury and Wigan Training Provider Network, said: “It is so encouraging to see the increase in the number of apprenticeships in Bolton; specifically within the key sector areas, supporting Bolton’s economic growth.

"I believe that the collective work that the Bolton Learning Provider Network carries out has certainly gone some way to raising the knowledge of the excellent benefits an apprenticeship brings."