"Now is the time" is the simple message for anyone considering taking on apprentices from Apprenticeships and Skills Minister Gillian Keegan.

She was among the speakers at the Gloucestershire Jobs, Skills and Apprenticeships Lift Off at Kingsholm.

And she told Punchline-Gloucester.com editor Mark Owen that help was at hand for anyone looking to take on trainees, including the Government's new Kickstart Scheme.

She said" "There's uncertainty but now is the time to take on apprentices. We have a massive skills shortage and we have a number of schemes to make that decision easier.

"Apprentices are useful to your business quickly as they are working as well as learning and transferring knowledge.

Describing the day-long event, organised by Gloucester MP Richard Graham, as "fantastic" she also discussed the new cyber security degree apprenticeship at Gloucestershire College, the Kickstart Scheme, her experience as an apprentice and the transformation in business and training in the digital era.

Watch the full interview above and follow Punchline-Gloucester.com for more from the Lift Off event.