GIFTED Halton students are being honoured at the UK’s biggest apprenticeship graduation The borough’s qualified apprentices are set to graduate at Liverpool Cathedral, a first for apprentices in the north west.

Halton Clr Eddie Jones, board member for economic regeneration, said: “Halton’s apprentices work extremely hard to gain their qualification in their chosen occupation and therefore it seems only right that they are properly recognised.

“The landmark event will also put apprenticeships in the spotlight and remind people how much of a fantastic career path they are.”

The apprenticeship graduation takes place on April 29, 2014, and aims to give qualified apprentices the same recognition that university students receive on the completion of a degree.

Apprentices from all six Merseyside boroughs will be attending the graduation, including all 2012/2013 qualified level 3 and 4 NVQ apprentices.

The prestigious graduation will be held in two separate sessions, at 2.30pm and 6.30pm, to allow 1,000 qualified apprentices to graduate on the same day.

Nicola Holland, events coordinator at Halton Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise, who qualified in March 2013 with an advanced level apprenticeship in management in the business skills sector, said: “I really enjoyed my apprenticeship. It was great that I could learn additional skills through college and be able to put them into action at work straight away.

“I think the apprenticeship graduation is a fantastic idea and I can’t wait to attend the ceremony.”

Some 3,000 potential apprentice graduates will be invited to attend and told how they can register for the ceremony.

Tickets for the event are free and apprentices can bring a maximum of two guests.