The National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) has launched a UK wide marketing campaign to promote apprenticeships to employers, young people and parents across the country.

The Government-backed campaign stars six apprentices in all, with others coming from Bentley, insurance brokers Bluefin, BT, builders Jelson Homes and housing association Incommunities Group Ltd.

At the launch last night, ministers also announced promotional activity will include the first national Skills Show - a UK-only version of WorldSkills London, which saw 200,000 young people visit the biggest skills competition, careers and jobs event ever staged in the country last October. The Skills Show will take place at The NEC, Birmingham from 15 - 17 November.

Minister for skills, John Hayes (pictured), said: "These young people are an inspiration to anyone looking to break in to their chosen industry. They show how the gold standard training in the apprenticeship programme can be a launch pad for careers across all sectors.

"This exciting new campaign will spread the word that apprenticeships not only deliver the skills businesses need in order to grow, they also enable people to build long, fulfilling and productive careers. We are committed to making it easier for employers to take on trainees, in part by cutting bureaucracy, raising quality standards and providing cash incentives to small firms who want to take on apprentices."

Jaine Bolton, director of the National Apprenticeship Service, added: "Encouraging more people to take up quality Apprenticeships is absolutely vital in equipping young people with the skills they need for the future - and the skills that Britain needs to grow.

"Quite simply, there has never been a better time to offer or take an Apprenticeship and our campaign will help ensure this is known across the country."

To find out about Apprenticeships visit www.apprenticeships.org.uk.

Key facts from the campaign

• You can get an Apprenticeship in over 250 industries, and choose from more than 1,200 different jobs.
• There are over 8,000 Apprenticeship vacancies available right now through the National Apprenticeship Service website.
• Eight out of ten apprentices rate their training as good or very good. (Youth Cohort Study & Longitudinal Study of Young People in England: The Activities and Experiences of 18 year olds: England 2009).
• 82% of employers take on Apprenticeships to build skills in their business. (British Chambers of Commerce, 2011).
• Four out of five employers say Apprenticeships will play a bigger part in their recruitment policy in future. (National Apprenticeships Service research by Populus, 2012).
• Three quarters of employers say Apprenticeships have helped them cut their recruitment costs. (National Apprenticeships Service research by Populus, 2012).