YOUNG North-East apprentices have enjoyed a train journey with a difference to mark the start of a drive to get more young people to consider work-based learning as a career option.

A group of budding railway engineers gathered at Newcastle Airport Metro station for the launch of the newly-branded Metro train, which is part of an advertising campaign to encourage more youngsters to use public transport to access Modern Apprenticeship opportunities across Tyne and Wear.

The group hopping on board the train for the journey to the Regent Centre included 19-year-old Kevin Johnson, from Walker, Newcastle, who is undertaking an Advanced Modern Apprenticeship in railway maintenance, funded by the Learning and Skills Council Tyne and Wear.

He has beaten competition from 435 others to be voted the TDR Training Apprentice of the Year.

Robert Bell, from Durham, is another outstanding apprentice who uses public transport on a daily basis to travel to and from his Durham home to undertake work-based training with Railway Performance.

Executive director Chris Roberts said: "We want to encourage more people to look at Modern Apprenticeships when considering their future career options. Distance and travel can be a barrier to learning for some people but it needn't be so.

"We have numerous examples of youngsters making daily commutes between Sunderland and Newcastle to undertake their training, and, with the recent extension of the Metro system, it has never been easier."

To find out more about taking a Modern Apprenticeship call 08000 150 600 or visit www.realworkrealpay.inf