Social care jobs can be the most emotional job out there, but according to one 18 year old, there's nothing more rewarding than seeing a smile on a service user's face. James Hughes completed his national apprenticeship in health and social care last March and has loved working in it ever since: "It's a great profession," he says.

James got this opportunity after the government introduced a new grant to encourage employers to offer more apprenticeships to 16 and 17 year olds as part of its plans to train a new generation for economic recovery. The social care apprenticeship scheme was announced by Gordon Brown - who offered 5,000 extra apprenticeships in health and social care for 2009-10.

The scheme is targeted at young people who are not in education, employment or training and also for those who are in older age groups.

The investment is important for the social care sector which has the potential to increase workers to 2.5 million by 2025, according to predictions in Skills for Care's 2008 adult workforce report.

James Hughes was offered a permanent position after two months into his apprenticeship as a social care worker in West Yorkshire. He believes that his apprenticeship has given him a head start in his future career. Liz McSheehy, chief executive of the National Skills Academy for Social Care, agrees it is about looking at a broader picture: "The jobs can be in management, finance, HR and not just the traditional way we view social care. We've seen successful recruitment drives for nurses and teachers - social care should be no different."