Engineering firm Westerns reported annual net profits of one-billion pounds over the last financial year. The company plans to re-invest this money into the business by creating three hundred new apprenticeships. Westerns, who are known for hiring from within their own apprentices, hope that such a step will encourage other companies to offer more jobs for younger workers. Youth unemployment rates are currently at an all-time high in the UK. A possible reason for this is a lack of training placements and non-academic routes for school leavers. However, as the average unemployment rate continues to rise, mirroring that of youths, differing reasons may be to blame.