OVER the past couple of weeks young people across the Vale of Glamorgan have been receiving exam results. I wanted to offer my congratulations to students, staff and parents whose hard work and support has produced another strong set of A level, AS level, GCSE and Welsh Baccalaureate results in the Vale of Glamorgan.

At A-level for example, 97.9 per cent of Vale of Glamorgan pupils achieved grades A*- E, compared to a Welsh average of 97.7 per cent . And at GCSE level, Vale pupils also exceeded the national average.

I would like to wish all students in the Vale of Glamorgan, all the very best for their future, whether that’s seeking employment, or going on to Higher Education. There is help available for our young people through Student Finance Wales and Careers Wales. For more advice and support on university, work placements and jobs, visit, www.careerswales.com or www.studentfinancewales.co.uk.

Another option to consider could be an apprenticeship. The Welsh Government funds the Apprenticeship Programme with support from the European Social Fund and the Minister for Skills Julie James AM, recently highlighted the various benefits of the scheme as an alternative career option.

She said: “Apprenticeships are the start of an exciting and rewarding career and can benefit anyone of any age, giving them an opportunity to gain practical, on the job experience while gaining all the skills and qualifications they need.

“Apprenticeships are a key investment for employers who can train their workforce in the specialist skills they need within their organisation. Overall, apprenticeships play an important role in increasing the nation’s overall skill set and driving economic growth, making sure that Wales remains competitive on the world stage.”

For more information about becoming an apprentice, visit careerswales.com and follow the apprenticeship link or to find out how your business could benefit from recruiting an apprentice, visit Skills Gateway for Business, or call 03000 6 03000. Also find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/apprenticeshipscymru and on Twitter @apprenticewales.