GCSE Results: UK Government Uses Power of Pinterest to Promote Apprenticeships

The UK government has used the power of image driven social network Pinterest to promote apprenticeships to young people and employers.

The campaign 'Get In. Go Far' features apprentices in varied sectors giving their own thoughts on their experiences.

The apprentices, shown in the adverts taking selfies in their places of work, will appear on TV, posters, digital channels and in print media.

This scheme calls on apprentices to take a selfie at work and post it on the campaign's Pinterest board.

"For too long there has been a divide between university and vocational education which has been damaging for both employers and young people," said Vince Cable, the Business Secretary.

"Placing university degrees and apprenticeships on an equal footing will help to break down barriers and better meet the needs of business."

The launch coincided with the introduction of 40 new employer-designed apprenticeships in sectors including engineering, hospitality and the legal profession.

These new opportunities will give people the chance to earn whilst they learn on apprenticeships which have been designed by businesses in a variety of sectors.

The initiative is part of the government's apprenticeship trailblazer project which was launched in October 2013.

The second phase of which was launched during National Apprenticeship Week in March 2014.

The scheme is designed to ensure every apprentice in England is enrolled on a scheme which has been designed and approved by employers by 2016 to 2017.

The news comes as hundreds of thousands of students find out their GCSE results.