But training which is well-run can make all the difference to a young person's career, as BBC News Online reports.

Eighteen-year-old Claire Wyer has wanted to be a hairdresser for as long as she can remember.

Now she is just one year from completing her qualification at the Durham Training Academy and thoroughly enjoying herself.

Claire has always wanted to be a hairdresser

"The tutors are all up-to-date with the new techniques and they're all still hairdressing in salons," says Claire.

But before attending the academy, Claire was disappointed with the training she received.

"There wasn't really much training, you felt like you were doing the same thing week after week and the tutors weren't still hairdressing," says Claire.

Claire says her decision to change training provider has changed her career.

"I would have finished my training, but I wouldn't have been as confident as I will be now - or as good a hairdresser."

'Inspiring' youngsters

The academy attended by Claire was set up two and a half years ago by hairdresser Janet Maitland who felt she wanted to train her apprentices in her own style.

Janet, who owns two salons, is now training 82 young hairdressers.

Training needs to be linked very closely to the workplace

Janet Maitland

"I felt there was a way I would like to do the training that was different to how it was being done," says Janet.

"I had some ideas of my own to make it a lot more inspiring, to introduce new skills and to keep up-to-date with modern ideas."

Janet believes strongly in making training relevant to the real world of work.

"Training needs to be linked very closely to the workplace, because employers have a lot to offer young people," says Janet.

"If the employer and training provider work together, the young person is a lot more likely to achieve their qualification."

Janet's academy was one of the few training providers to be praised in the Adult Learning Inspectorate's annual report.