Daily roundup: Apprenticeships, child abuse images, and life skills

Young people are facing stiff competition for apprenticeship places, with demand far outstripping supply, latest figures show. The Independent reports that 41 young people are applying for every plumbing position available. In total, nearly 370,000 people submitted online applications to the National Apprenticeship Service between February and April, an increase of 32 per cent on the same period in 2012. Vacancies also increased by 15 per cent, to almost 33,000, but demand is outstripping supply.

Google have been urged to restrict access to images of child abuse, after paedophile Mark Bridger was jailed for the murder of April Jones. The Guardian reports that John Carr, a government adviser on child internet safety, said it should be made more difficult to access hardcore pornography sites. He said he will be urging Google to take measures in a meeting with the company next week.

Students who are the first in their family to attend university are to work with local young people on community projects, as part of a new scheme launched by the National Children’s Bureau. The Life Skills Programme aims to help 14-to 17-year-olds build their skills and confidence. NCB participation and involvement manager Sophie Wood said many of the young people on the project do not aspire to attend further education or training but it is hoped that working with “first-generation students” will “inspire them to make positive choices."