Would your business benefit from an apprentice? Watch our web chat filmed live on Monday 24th August 2009.

David Way from the National Apprenticeship Service, Apprentice Sumaira Niazi and director of operations Lee Jones from Tubelines discuss how best to maximise the National Apprentice Service from both the business and apprentice's perspective.

With the UK's skills gap remaining an ever present thorn in the government's side, this week sees both the GCSE and A level results published. So what's next for our young people? The latest figures show there are almost a million 16-24 year old NEETS (‘not in education, employment or training’), an increase of 100,000 over the last year. With so many companies in England needing well qualified, experienced staff to help them run successfully, making use of this huge amount of talent could be the golden ticket to business success.

News of Japan, France and Germany making their way out of the downturn shows an increased need for UK businesses to be prepared for the pressures and competition as the market pushes forward and ensuring you have the best staff available is essential. Despite its setbacks, the National Apprenticeship Service highlights the depth in talent of young people and in the midst of the recession, school leavers see apprenticeships as the ideal first step through the door into the business world.  Since its launch in January 2009, over 100,000 young people have registered on the system.

Watch the archived webchat again here.