Mr Hancock said the government was "reforming apprenticeships, introducing traineeships and overhauling the system to recognise only high quality vocational courses that lead directly to a skilled trade or profession".

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From the grandest of stages, Richard then heads to the intimate surroundings of the dinner table where Fay Presto plies her trade on the London restaurant scene, entertaining customers between courses.

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Some enroll in butchery courses, while others are turning to YouTube and the Internet to learn the tricks of the trade.

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