A great pool of talent on offer to employers.

WITH young people having received their GCSE results, research from the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) shows there are thousands of potential recruitskeen to step inside the business world.

Analysis of those registered on Apprenticeship vacancies, the online matching service, shows the most popular sector for potential apprentices is Business Administration.

The pool of candidates on the system highlights the depth in talent of young people.

Fifty-four per cent of those registered are 16-18 year oldst. The most popular sectors for potential apprentices are Business Administration and Law (40%), Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies (including job roles as diverse as Rail operations, Gas industry and Metals processing -30%) and Retail and Commercial Enterprise (including hospitality, hairdressing and property services - 9%).

Apprenticeship vacancies (www.apprenticeships.org.uk), where all these young people are registered, is a quick, easy and reliable 'one-stop shop' where employers can advertise vacancies and individuals can search and apply for Apprenticeship places. Since its launch in January 2009, over 100,000 young people have registered on the system.

To help match these talented young people with Apprenticeships, the NAS is currently contacting thousands of employers, highlighting the talents young people can bring to an organisation and the business benefits they provide to a company. They are also making employers aware that whenever a 16-18-year-old is taken on as an Apprentice, the NAS will fund their training.

Iain Wright, Apprenticeship Minister at the Department for Children, Schools and Families said: "Apprenticeships provide a direct route from which employers can harness this pool of talent as well as ensuring that skills and experience are retained within their business. We are particularly pleased to see just how many young people are keen to put their talent to use in the business world by applying for apprenticeships to learn these skills."

Simon Waugh, chief executive at the National Apprenticeship Service, added: "The single biggest asset a business has is the loyalty and talent of its staff. However, it takes time and commitment to invest in staff development." "Employers are increasing realising the business benefits of taking on an apprentice and their investment is repaid many times over through increased productivity, minimised staff turnover and higher quality work."