The man thought to be England's last remaining master cooper is struggling to find an apprentice to pass his barrel-making skills to.

The government is pledging more money to create apprenticeships as part of its efforts to tackle the downturn in the economy.

A scheme is set up to train apprentices in the crafts to upkeep Scotland's castles and stately homes.

It is not all cuddles and cuteness as modern apprentices learn what it takes to become a zoo keeper.

The Apprentice Boys of Derrys' annual Lundy's Day parade takes place in Londonderry without incident.

A mining museum is looking to recruit young people to work underground in the future as apprentices.

One of the former stars of The Apprentice, from Essex, is convicted of falsely claiming housing benefits.

A 20-year-old-man is arrested after the door of an Apprentice Boys hall in Londonderry is set alight.

It's the sort of conundrum that apprentice wizard Merlin - eponymous hero of the current BBC children's drama - needn't concern himself too much about: how do magicians stop others from pinching their tricks?

The employment minister announces new measures to support training schemes during the economic downturn.

Police name an apprentice welder who died in hospital following a three-vehicle accident.

The Conservatives promise extra places for students to move from apprenticeships to university course.

South Africa's first black sommelier is being trained in London - after this boxer turned shelf stacker won a tasting competition.

Scottish industry figures say a new construction training facility will prosper despite the current economic downturn.

Thousands of people took part in the annual Apprentice Boys Relief of Derry celebrations.

The Conservatives are vowing to create 100,000 more places for apprentices, saying it will cut social problems.

Adam Smith College in Fife says it has tripled the number of engineering students in two years.

A new generation of farmers complete a new moorland skills apprentiship.

Coventry Blaze have added Great Britain international Greg Wood and former apprentice Joe Henry to next season's squad.

More than 10 million tuned in to see Sir Alan Sugar choose his next Apprentice - the BBC show's best ever audience.