Getting paid and learning on the job is perhaps why people choose it as a means to develop in their career.

Businesses with apprentice schemes such as BT or BAE systems report higher productivity. There are around 270,000 apprentices working within the UK, though the majority of them - up to 80% - tend to be in England.

So, what do apprenticeships mean to the Welsh economy? Are Welsh businesses tapping into this great resource? Or do they think their business couldn't support such a scheme?

What do you think about it? Would you like to be an apprentice? Would you want to hire one? Join Sarah Dickins and guests for Wales@Work as they discuss the appeal of apprenticeships.

BBC Radio Wales, Tuesday 12 June at 6.32pm and repeated on Sunday 17 June at 7.03am.