PARENTS waiting for their children's GSCE and A-level results later this month are invited to use a new helpline to explore their options.

The Learning and Skills Council in North Yorkshire has launched a campaign to offer advice and information on Modern Apprenticeships.

Currently there are more than 4,500 young people in North Yorkshire in Modern Apprenticeship jobs ranging from childcare to hotel management, business administration to engineering.

All the jobs have formal training to achieve nationally-recognised qualifications.

Kevin Marrow from the Learning and Skills Council said: "We know this is a stressful time for parents and young people. Our campaign could help parents to consider all the options available.

"Career decisions are about finding the right choice for the right person. We recognise that no one knows a son or daughter better than their parents."

Charlotte Ellis from Strensall, York, is a Modern Apprentice in business administration with Energy Efficiency Partnership.

Her mum, Anne, said: "I was happy that Charlotte would be doing something that would lead to a qualification. There's the opportunity for further progression too.

"I'd say to other parents that it's good to have a choice."

For a copy of the parents' guide, or to find out more about Modern Apprenticeships, phone the parents' help line on freephone 0800 515 547.

Updated: 09:49 Friday, August 01, 2003