ALMOST half of school students in Yorkshire and Humberside are considering an apprenticeship.

Figures released by the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT), said more than two thirds of young people in the region believed apprenticeships could fast track their career, and seven in ten local businesses believed more young people would choose apprenticeships in the next five years.

AAT said 46 per cent of young people asked said they wanted an apprenticeship over a university place, as they could start earning money straight away. The figures were released as part of National Apprenticeship Week, which runs until Friday.