Undertaking an apprenticeship is a great way for wannabe contractors and other professionals to get the edge over others in the job market, according to one expert.

Josie Perry, marketing and communications director at the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS), said that employers now want increasingly skilled people working for them and an apprenticeship is a great way to gain these.

"Apprenticeships train people in the skills employers want and ensure the apprentices make a great contribution to the employer by providing their customers with loyal, motivated and responsive service," she added.

This comes after NAS announced that it is now inviting entries to the National Apprenticeship Award 2011.

Awards, run by the National Apprenticeship Service, are open to all apprentices and organisations that employ them.

In addition to four category winners, the 24 best other employers in each category will be published on the Top 100 Apprenticeship employers list.