If you have not got your hands on a hard copy of the most recent Punchline business magazine and can not wait any longer, think of this as an early Christmas present.

Yes, keep reading and we will not only give you a taster of a little of what packs this month's (December) 130-plus page edition, but offer up a link to the electronic version as well.

At the core of this month's edition is the now annual apprenticeship guide - a list of 50 of the county's businesses which we are calling 'apprenticeship champions' because of the commitment to training.

It is a list compiled from the recommendations from the fantastic centres of learning that are Gloucestershire Engineering Training (GET), Gloucestershire College, the University of Gloucestershire, SGS College, Cirencester College and Betaris Training.

All of the work with the businesses concerned to help them help their staff develop their skills and talents.

It is an edition made possible because of the support of sponsors SGS College and the University of Gloucestershire, county-based law firm Tayntons Solicitors and the engineering and manufacturing giant that is Hydro.

The latter's own story on multi-million pound investment in Gloucestershire is a take of confidence in the county and bodes well for the future. We tell it in full in this edition too.

We could go on, but perhaps it is best to give you the keys to the door - so to speak - and let you see for yourselves.

We hope you enjoy it.