A FORMER apprentice from County Durham is going back to her roots to help others in the North East as she was once helped herself.

With youth unemployment rising to fresh highs, particularly in the North East, Lucy Marshall has set up a new apprenticeship service, I Love Apprenticeships. The service aims to help young people on the road to successful careers.

Marshall herself entered an apprenticeship scheme at the start of her career and the help and support she received at this time provided her with the platform to gain valuable work experience and qualifications.

She has decided to set up the new service so that others can also benefit from the same level of support.

She said: “I have really benefited from engaging with the apprenticeship scheme and really believe in the benefits that it can have for young people of all abilities.

“I want young people to know they can carry out an apprenticeship and then continue on to university if they wish, just like me.