Business administration apprentices Akash Chapgar and Laura Hallam, both 18, have started work at HGV driving school J Coates Ltd in Leicester.
They have started a 12-month apprenticeship with the firm.
Their jobs include dealing with incoming inquiries on a daily basis, booking in appointments and dealing with clients.
Donna Neal, the firm's office manager, said the pair had so far proved "invaluable".
She said: "They're both really enthusiastic individuals who have thrown themselves into the job straight away.
"As a firm, we liked the idea of giving young people a helping hand and hope the training we're able to give stands them in good stead for the future.
"They're working alongside experienced staff and I know myself from starting here as an 18-year-old that that's invaluable."
Akash, who lives in Leicester, says the experience so far has "been fantastic". He said: "I hope it will help open more doors in the future because I'm training on the job and learning new things everyday."
Laura, from Birstall, added: "It's been a huge learning curve so far but that's why I'm here – to learn on the job and pick up new skills."
Health and social care apprentice Amy Powell, 20, is working at Tudor Care Home, in Hinckley. Amy, from Newbold Verdon, will spend the next year getting to know the elderly residents at the small home who she will be looking after.
Manager Cindy Nicholl said: "What I've found through Amy is that she has a great attitude and is keen to learn and we're able to train her to our own high standards. I've been really impressed so far.
Amy said: "I've always been interested in the care side. I've helped care for my own mum over the years so moving into this sort of career seemed like the right step.
"Learning in this way is better than being in college full time because I'm picking up the practical skills. I hope that by doing this I can make it into a proper career. I'm supported and assessed by the college regularly but this is ideal for me.
"I'm really enjoying getting to know the residents and I hope that they enjoy seeing a new face. I see this as a great opportunity to get ahead and I'm really grateful for the chance."
Apprentice Sumiyyah Lambat, 19, is working at Uplands Junior School, in Highfields, Leicester.
She is responsible for manning the reception desk, dealing with inquiries and general administration.
The teenager, from Humberstone, has been at the school for just over a week.
"I didn't know what the next step for me was until I heard about the apprenticeship challenge," she said. "I thought an apprenticeship in business administration would be another string to my bow.
"I think I'm quite good at being organised and communicating with people and that's a large part of the job.
"I'm hoping one day I can be a personal assistant to someone, possibly within a large company. I know that what I'm learning now will count for something.
"Everyone here has been really helpful and friendly so it's just a case of getting on with the job and learning along the way."
A spokesperson for the school said: "We've been very pleased so far with how Sumiyyah has got on. She's got the right personality for the job."
Amandeep Gill, 21, is a warehouse apprentice at The Healy Group, in Coalville, which supplies food ingredients to manufacturers.
He is learning how to deal with stock as well as how to drive forklift trucks under the close tuition of experienced staff.
Operations manager Mervyn Penson said: "The company has always worked closely with charities and schemes such as the apprentice challenge.
"We thought we were ideally placed to give an opportunity to a young person with the right credentials and Amandeep was the right person."
Amandeep, from Groby, said he was thoroughly enjoying the job.
"I'm shadowing staff here and learning as I go along," he said.
"Driving a forklift truck can be very technical and it takes time to learn what you're doing but I'm enjoying it so far. I'm not the sort of person who enjoys sitting at a desk so when my sister heard about the apprenticeship challenge she thought it would really suit me.
"I'm part of a small team working in the warehouse. We all get on really well which helps and I'm happy to be here."
IT apprentice Emma Walkden, 19, is about to start work at Signature Digital – an iPhone application developer in Leicester.
Emma, from Braunstone, in Leicester, says she hopes this opportunity will "open doors in the future".
"I really didn't know what I was going to do because there didn't seem to be any jobs out there for me," she said.
"I didn't want to go to university and get into lots of debt so when I heard about the apprenticeship challenge I decided to give it a go.
"I'm quite a creative person but I hadn't thought about that transferring into the IT industry before, so when my college suggested it I realised it could be for me.
"I start next month and I hope this could be a really good move for my career prospects."
Managing director Chris Booth added: "We thought that by taking on an apprentice we could mould them to the standard we need.
"Emma came across as very competent in interview and had a very nice manner about her. She was clearly enthusiastic and had great communication skills. We're very much looking forward to her starting the job."
Gareth Jones, 23, has started as a joinery apprentice at cabinet makers Steve Burt Woodworking Ltd, in Oadby.
He has only been with the firm for the past week but says he's already picking up new skills.
"I know I have a lot to learn but I find it interesting so I don't mind," he said.
"I'm a hands-on sort of person so an apprenticeship is perfect for me. I didn't know what to expect when I first started but I've been given a lot of support.
Owner Steve Burt added: "We've had apprentices from the college in the past so when the opportunity to take on more manpower came up they were out first thought. The college helped match us to Gareth but we had the final say. I'm pleased to say that he's doing very well and we're pleased with his work."
Apprentice hairdresser Laura Neale, 18, is working at Chris Norman's Salon for Men, in Narborough.
She is taking her NVQ Level Two hairdressing to the next stage having already completed her training in ladies hairdressing at a sister salon in Wigston.
Owner Chris said: "Laura's been a model apprentice and when she came to the end of that we wanted to keep her on. I'd just decided to open a men's salon and so it was perfect for Laura to go into and learn about men's hairdressing.
"I've always been a fan of apprenticeships because it enables you to pass on your skills and give someone a chance at the same time.
"We couldn't be more pleased with the way Laura's progressed throughout her time with us."
Laura said: "It's been great learning on the job and I now have a chance to learn additional skills. I hope one day to own my own salon. I'd recommend any young person needing experience to consider taking on an apprenticeship."
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