Barry Denny, managing director of Denny Brothers printing firm, said his firm had employed apprentices for the past 60 years.

"We have always employed apprentices, even when it wasn't fashionable to have them," he said.

"Within three years, we have turned someone from a green school leaver into a craftsman with commercial skills."

The apprentice week, organised by the Government's Learning and Skills Council, highlighted the benefits of in-house training schemes leading to national qualifications.

Research compiled for the event last week showed employers felt apprentices made them more competitive and improved staff retention.

Giles Prime, finance director at Howarth Timber Engineering, of Hollow Road, which has five apprentices, said: "Apprentices bring fresh ideas into the business and they get a recognised qualification at the end of it.

"We can match their training needs to our business and it helps to attract staff who stay with the firm."

Simon Page, senior executive of vocational learning at WS Training, of Fornham All Saints, said his firm stepped up advertising to boost the role played by apprenticeships throughout the special week.

"There are a lot of unsung heroes in Suffolk who are working full time and also studying for a qualification, often in their spare time," he said.