AN apprenticeship scheme in Keighley is proving a huge success.

Over the past year, Keighley Business Improvement District (BID) has funded several apprentice posts in the town.

The initiative has enabled students to take advantage of training that could in turn lead to full-time employment.

Among businesses participating in the programme is Stirk Lambert Chartered Accountants, based in North Street.

Daisy Holgate is in her eighth month of a three-year assistant accountant apprenticeship.

She spends one day a week at Craven College, in Skipton, which will lead on to her gaining an Association of Accounting Technicians qualification.

Daisy hopes to then study to become a chartered accountant.

She said: "University wasn’t for me so I decided instead to look into my options within the accounting industry and came across Stirk Lambert's apprenticeship offer.

"This to me was a great opportunity, as I’ve always preferred to learn as I work.

"With help from my colleagues, I was able to pass my first taxation exam with a 91 per cent score.

"I absolutely love my job and would recommend an apprenticeship to anyone who doesn’t know what they want to do when they leave school."

Keighley BID manager, Paul Howard, welcomed the success of the programme.

He added: "The apprenticeship grant funding scheme was set-up by Keighley Business Club – one of the projects of BID.

"BID's aims include helping to reduce business costs and thereby improving profitability, so this scheme – which gives a direct contribution to the training and employment costs – has been very well received.

"We are delighted that the apprentices employed with the help of this scheme are doing so well and we look forward to seeing how they progress further."

Any businesses within the BID area of the town centre interested in learning more about the scheme should call 01535 618085 or visit discoverkeighley.co.uk.

Further information about apprenticeships can be obtained from Keighley College.